Dunkirk Little Ships Leave Ramsgate

27 May 2010, 06:00 | Updated: 28 May 2010, 11:54

Little Ships, that helped rescue troops from France during World War II, are sailing from Kent to mark 70 years since it happened.

They helped evacuate 338,000 British and Allied troops from beaches at Dunkirk in 1940.

Around 50 of them are leaving Ramsgate harbour on Thursday (27th May) to sail across the channel, accompanied by two Royal Navy ships.

The ships are due to return to Ramsgate on Monday following a wreath laying ceremony in Dunkirk the day before.

The harbour was a marshalling point for the Little Ships during the operation which started after the Admiralty appealed for owners of small pleasure boats to contact them.

Around 800 ships were eventually used in the evacuation between 28th May and 4th June 1940.

Ramsgate was also one of the main reception centres for the returning troops.

Click here to listen to Ian Pearson from Rochester who will be sailing one of the ships

Kester Riley is taking park in the anniversary for the first time, listen to what he said about it