Preston remembers the ‘bravest and the best’ on 40th anniversary of Falklands victory

Veterans joined civic leaders to honour the bravery of the military task force which evicted Argentinian forces from the islands in the South Atlantic after a 74-day operation.

The daring assault cost the lives of 255 British military personnel, with a further 775 wounded.

Today's service paid tribute to the courage of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought in the conflict.

A wreath was laid on behalf of the Central Lancashire Armed Forces Veterans' Association by former Scots Guards Warrant Officer Mark Jackson who took part in the famous Battle of Mount Tumbledown which led to the Argentinian surrender the following day.

He missed a parade by veterans of the 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guards in Blackpool yesterday after being held up in traffic, so was given the honour of laying today's wreath in Preston.

Colonel David Waters, president of the veterans' association, said: "Warrant Officer Jackson was at Tumbledown as the Scots Guards overcame an elite battalion of Argentinian Marines.

"What better representative to lay our wreath of remembrance than him."

The local service was kept low key, with the main commemorative ceremony being held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

"While there was a national memorial service today, we still felt we should do something in Preston irrespective if there would be many spectators," said Col Waters.

“They were, and are, the bravest and the best of us.”

Another wreath was laid on behalf of the city of Preston by Mayor Coun Neil Darby.