RAYLEIGH and Wickford MP Mark Francois was in Normandy for last week’s D-Day commemorations.

Mr Francois, who is Armed Forces Minister, took part in the events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the landings.

He attended several events during his three-day trip, including a midnight vigil at Pegasus Bridge, where the first British gliders landed, shortly after midnight on June 6,1944.

He also attended the US commemoration at Colleville, near Omaha Beach, representing the Government and hearing speeches from US President Obama and French President Hollande.

It was an especially poignant visit for the MP, since his father, Reginald Francois, served aboard the minesweeper HMS Bressay, clearing the approaches to the beaches on D-Day.