28331/1D-DAY MEMORIES: AN array of D-Day decorations ensured a Semington garden looked a cut above the rest as its owner marked the 60th anniversary of the landings.

Cliff Ward, 76, of Littlemarsh, Semington, is renowned for decorating his topiary and he pulled out all the stops to commemorate D-Day.

Mock tanks, ships, aeroplanes and flags were among the display as Mr Ward paid tribute to some of his friends who he lost in the landings.

Mr Ward, who joined the army in 1946 and was posted to the Middle East, has lived in Semington for 51 years, with his wife Mary but only started decorating his garden a few years ago.

He said: "I have always liked spending time in the garden and I just thought it would be something different to make it stand out.

"I do it now for many different occasions and it gets a lot of attention from other people. I really enjoy doing it."

Although he did not take part in the landings himself, Mr Ward said he had several friends who did and he felt his tribute to D-Day was especially important.

He said: "D-Day means a lot to me even though I was not part of it. I had friends who lost their lives in the landings and I wanted to remember them.

"This is my memorial to them and I hope when people see it they will think about the events of 1944."