British veterans of the Battle for Arnhem staged a memorial parachute jump over The Netherlands to mark the 60th anniversary of the bloody conflict.

Ten pensioners aged between 79 and 85 landed safely to a rapturous welcome from thousands of spectators who gathered on the spot where 2,000 troops were air-dropped in September, 1944.

Ray Sheriff, from Rottingdean, was blinded by a German mortar bomb just seven hours after parachuting into the battle on September 17.

Sixty years on, Mr Sheriff, now 84, jumped in tandem to where he and hundreds of paratroopers landed in a bid to seize Arnhem bridge.

The founder member of the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, said: "We had to come out of the plane very quickly and we did not have time for any drill.

"I am always slightly anxious - everybody is who makes a parachute jump - but I was very happy to do it."

Mr Sheriff, who jumped from an American Dakota at 3,000ft, said he was taking part in the commemoration to honour the thousands of men who died in the operation.

Cecil Godden, 80, returned to Arnhem for the first time since the battle.

Mr Godden, from Seaford, who served with 1 Airborne Division, was among the first soldiers to reach the hills around Arnhem after arriving by glider.

He said: "To see all the names on the graves, all the lads who were so young, is deeply emotional."

Signalman Desmond Wiggins, 80, from Bexhill, wept as he too recalled arriving by glider. He said: "When we landed at 2pm it was a beautiful day, just like today, and it was so peaceful. We did not encounter any resistance for five hours and then all hell broke loose."