HOVERTRAVEL will be doing its bit to support armed forces veterans and those currently serving from the Island wishing to attend D-Day 80 events on the mainland.

The cross-Solent travel provider is supporting D-Day 80 by cutting its fares by 50 per cent from Ryde to Southsea, for events on Wednesday, June 5, and on Saturday, June 8.  

The company has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and is a bronze level award recipient under the MoD's Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. 

Loretta Lale, Hovertravel's head of commercial, said: "We are proud to support the veterans and members of the armed forces family, as they pay tribute to the courage and resilience of British and allied troops eight decades ago. 

"The Isle of Wight is home to many veterans, so we wanted to increase our ongoing discount for these two very special days.”

There are two D-Day 80 events in Portsmouth on June 5 and, for those lucky to have secured their tickets, they will see famous faces, watch musical performances, and listen to readings and testimonies, starting at 11am, and running through to 1pm, with a community vigil in the evening.

Both events will also be televised on BBC 1

On June 8, as part of a week of commemorations for D-Day 80, Portsmouth's Armed Forces Day returns to Southsea Common, conveniently close to the Hovertravel terminal.  

The event will include parades, military vehicles and live music. The day will also feature a Royal Navy parachute jump and a full Red Arrow display across The Solent.