Hundreds of beacons have been lit across the UK to bring an end to the emotional 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations.

The campaign – Lamp Lights of Peace for D-Day 80 – has seen hundreds of flames proudly sparked by communities across the country.

Accompanied by buglers and bagpipe players, bright lights shone out around the UK in tribute to the fallen soldiers who stormed Normandy’s beaches in 1944.

The network has been organised by ex-Royal Pageant Master Bruno Peek, with the beacons are intended to remember those who died on the five beaches or came home wounded.

Talking about the campaign, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged communities to support the cause.

He said: ‘The heroism of those who landed on the shores of the Normandy beaches, represented a beacon of light for the world during a particularly dark period of war. 

A crowd gathers to watch the D-Day 80th anniversary beacon lighting in Queenborough, Kent this evening

Bugler Anfrew Carlisle at the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council lighting of the D Day 80 Beacon

Piper David Maitland plays during the lighting of the beacon as part of the commemorations for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

The beacon being lit for Lamp Lights of Peace for D-day 80, lit on Castle Hill, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wale

Hundreds of people attend the lighting of the D-Day 80 beacon at Stokes Bay in Gosport, Hampshire

Onlookers stand with drinks to watch the D-Day 80th anniversary beacon lighting in Queenborough, Kent this evening

A bugler from the American 1st Infantry Division (United States), known as The Big Red One, plays ‘Taps’ during the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

The beacon burns as the sun goes down following the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

The Mayor of Dorchester Cllr Robin Potter during the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

Personnel from the American 1st Infantry Division (United States) during the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field, commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day

A beacon for D-Day 80 burns at Selkirk War Memorial, after it was kindly made available by James Maybury of the General Store

Read More

A hero’s last salute: Guard of honour for D-Day veteran, 100, as he is applauded by huge crowds

‘It is therefore fitting that local communities throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and those along the shorelines of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches in Normandy, France, should light Beacons on 6 June 2024, in tribute to the light of peace that they brought out from the misery of darkness during that dreadful campaign, of which many unfortunately did not return.

‘1 am therefore delighted to support this initiative and I urge communities across the country to support this event.’ 

The charitable event asked communities to come together to light the beacon, alongside an event to commemorate the D-Day landings.

They asked that it be used to help raise money for vital charities linked to the historic event, including The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and The Merchant Navy Association.

The first beacon was lit in Normandy at 8.15pm overlooking Gold Beach, with three further fires following above Utah, Omaha, Juno and Sword beaches at 8.30pm.

These were followed an hour later across the UK, with communities of all sizes joining to commemorate the seismic historic day.

Mr Sunak continued: ‘I would like to pay particular tribute to Pageantmaster, Bruno Peek for his tremendous efforts in leading these historic celebrations. 

‘It also gives me great pleasure in congratulating The Royal Naval Association, The Merchant Navy Association, The Royal Airforce Benevolent Fund and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity for their remarkable efforts in supporting our service personnel, along with their families.

The Duke of Northumberland lights the beacon from the battlements of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland

The beacon is lit high above a gathered crowd during the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

A large crowd was in attendance as a beacon was lit at dusk at the Nothe Fort at Weymouth in Dorset

: People gather for the lighting of a beacon to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day at the Cenotaph on Clifftown Parade on June 6, 2024 in Southend-on-Sea

Hundreds of people attend the lighting of the D-Day 80 beacon at Christchurch in Dorset

A beacon for D-Day 80 burns at Selkirk War Memorial

The Town Crier Anthony Harrison starts the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

School choirs sing during the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

Dorsets At War Living history Group stand alongside members of the public to watch the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

Colonel Montgomery from American 1st Infantry Division (United States) speaks to the crowd during the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

Personnel from the 1st Infantry Division (United States) hold a World War Two Sten machine gun belonging to Dorsets At War Living history Group before the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

A Home Guard re-enactor is seen during the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

Gifts are given to personnel from the 1st Infantry Division (United States) during the Beacon lighting ceremony at Salisbury Field

‘As we look forward to the future, I believe we should take strength from the shared hardship of our experience during World War II. 

‘That future is why so many of our service men gave their lives – and protecting the peace they fought for is the greatest waywe can honour those who fell.’

Lamp Lights of Peace for D-day 80 has also encouraged Brits to buy Tilley lamps, which have been painted red to represent the blood spilt on D-Day. 

They have been manufactured in Germany – a symbol intended to show the peace that now exists between our nations. 

With the support of the National Federation of Fish Friers, thousands of fish and chips shops also joined the celebrations.

Company Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis, who won the only Victoria Cross of D-Day after he single-handedly took two enemy pillboxes and captured 30 Germans, ended up started off life in a fish and chip shop.

It was also used as code between British paratroopers to identify if a nearby soldier was friendly – with one calling out ‘fish’ and the other hopefully replying ‘chips’. 

Mr Peak has organised beacon celebrations across Britain for more than 40 years – including one across 12 European countries when Britain entered the Single European Market in 1992.

He has also hosted spectacular events for the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees.