D-DAY: ABOUT 100 attended a D-Day commemoration service in Marlborough on the 60th anniversary on Sunday.

Wreaths were laid at the Second World War memorial in New Road in a touching ceremony.

However the event was marred for many by busy weekend traffic.

Even during the two minute silence the traffic continued to roar past.

Prayers were led by the senior chaplain of Marlborough College, the Rev James Dickie, but people standing on the far side of the mini roundabout were unable to hear a word.

Old soldier Gordon Rendle said: "It was nothing short of a farce. I don't think anyone could say they heard a word of the service."

Mr Rendle who lives in Kingsbury Street, said drivers ignored the obvious ceremony that was taking place.

He said: "Those attending the service spent a lot of time dodging the traffic.

"Instead of stopping the traffic the police were busy directing it. No-one could hear a word of the service."

Mr Rendle added: "There were a lot of complaints from those people attending that the whole thing was a sham after the ultimate sacrifice of so many who paid a high price on the coast of France 60 years ago."

Royal British Legion chairman Alec Light, who gave the exhortation at Sunday's commemoration service, said police were given advance notice of the ceremony.

Mr Light agreed the event was marred by traffic noise but said: "It was absolutely wonderful to see so many people come along.

"It was a very moving ceremony and there must have been at least 100 people present."

Town councillors, led by deputy mayor Hilary Cripps, marched in their ceremonial robes to the war memorial from the town hall.

They were led by their officers, town clerk Graham Gittins, borough beadle Alfie Johnson and mace bearers Tony Sansom and Derek Smithers.

Coun Cripps, acting for the mayor, Coun Graham Francis, who had a prior engagement, laid a wreath of poppies on behalf of the town.

Other wreaths were laid by the Royal British Legion and its women's section, by the Normandy Veterans' Association and by the Royal Naval Association.

It was only the second civic engagement for Coun Cripps since her election as deputy mayor.

Coun Cripps said: "It was an honour and a privilege to be able to do this on behalf of the town."

Insp Bill Dowling said officers were briefed to attend the ceremony to ensure it went ahead safely because of its dangerous location. There was no request for the traffic to be stopped.

"If we had been asked to stop the traffic we would have briefed the officers accordingly," he said.