TWO Wirral World War II veterans will travel to Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

John Dennett, 94, from Wallasey and Matthew Toner, 93, from West Kirby will be travelling to France together after meeting through Age UK Wirral's Veterans Brunch Club.

Joining the Royal Navy when he was 17, John served with them for four and a half years and was involved in the Normandy landings in 1944.

Matthew joined the Royal Navy when he was 16 and served for 11 years - he was also at D-Day.

Both have been awarded the Légion d'Honneur for their remarkable efforts and John has previously met Prince Harry at another visit to the site.

The pair met after John visited the Cherry Tree Centre in Liscard this January.

He wasn't planning to stay but the Age UK team persuaded him to stay for a cup of tea.

John spoke to veterans activities co-ordinator for Joining Forces Ann Jones who told him about a local charity called D-Day Revisited and how it gives World War II veterans the opportunity to travel to Normandy to commemorate D-Day - this year being the 75th anniversary and final planned trip.

She told the Globe: "It is the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings this year (June 6) and with so few WWII veterans still with us, it was remarkable that we were able to introduce two extremely spritely Wirral veterans that were both in the Royal Navy and involved in the D-Day landings.

"We got talking about a trip that he was going on this June with a local charity called ‘D-Day Revisited' and told John about another veteran I had met from West Kirby called Matthew Toner.

"John was keen to talk to Matthew and see if he would like to join them on the final trip to Normandy.

"Arrangements were made and John and Matthew have since met-up twice.

"They have also established that their paths have crossed more than once, not only at Normandy, but they had also sailed in the same flotilla off the East Coast of America.

"The ship that John was sailing on had engine failure and Matthew’s ship had been assigned to tow it back to harbour.

"With so much in common and so much to talk about a firm friendship has been forged - and yes, Matthew and his granddaughter, will now be joining John in June and travelling over to Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

"We’re so glad we persuaded John to join us for that cup of tea and a chat back in January and we hope you both have a wonderful trip."

Age UK's Joining Forces initiative is an Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust-supported project aiming to support the quality of life and wellbeing of veterans born before 1950.