THEY say there is a first time for everything. At the age of 89, war veteran Ernie Spacagna never thought he would have to stage a protest.

But the former Royal Army Service Corps driver - who was prepared to lay down his life for his country - held his own one-man demonstration to show his anger at Southampton's plans to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day next month.

For two hours he stood outside the city's council offices.

Proudly wearing his service medals, the father of four branded the city's plans "absolute rubbish" and held up a banner saying: "Disgrace on Southampton City Council ignoring D-Day celebrations of 60 years. Remember they gave their today for your tomorrow. Lest we forget."

Mr Spacagna said: "When I read about what the council was doing in the Daily Echo I was so angry. I just had to do something."

Southampton's commemorations will focus on one exhibition featuring the work of 1940s photojournalist Robert Capa showing the impact of Operation Overlord and a Drumhead service at Mayflower Park featuring a flypast by a Supermarine Spitfire and B17G Boeing Flying Fortress.

Neighbouring Portsmouth is putting a spectacular programme of events together to mark the historic occasion including a march-past by veterans.

After failing to receive any reply to two letters to council bosses Mr Spacagna, who lives with his wife Kathleen in Bugle Street, opted for a more direct approach.

"The commemorations in South-ampton are absolute rubbish. It's just penny-pinching," he said.

"The council says it has not got the money to do more but they have had ten years to prepare. This is the last opportunity - there are not going to be any more. "

Mr Spacagna wants to see the cadet corps of the Army, Royal Navy and Air Force march through The Bargate to The Cenotaph followed by D-Day veterans.

He was one of thousands of men who landed on Sword Beach in northern France after setting sail from Tilbury Docks in an American Utility boat on June 4, 1944. He was a tipper truck driver first transporting shells and then debris cleared up from bombed-out towns and villages.

City leisure boss Councillor Peter Wakeford said: "I respect Mr Spacagna's opinions. I believe what we are putting on is a respectful way to remember the thousands of men who left Southampton never to return."

Cllr Wakeford said he would speak to council officers about the possibility of a parade but said it would be difficult at such late notice.