Hundreds of Dunkirk veterans are today holding a memorial service at a site of a wartime massacre of British troops. Hundreds of Dunkirk veterans are today holding a memorial service at a site of a wartime massacre of British troops. Members of the 1940 Dunkirk Veterans Association are meeting at Le Paradis, 16 miles south of Dunkirk, for the annual commemoration.German troops advancing on Dunkirk in 1940 massacred about 100 British soldiers, mainly from the Norfolk Regiment, at the village.Veterans association chaplain, Stanley Allen, 81, said: "The soldiers were held in a barn at Le Paradis and taken outside by German forces and shot. The barn where this took place is still there, a memorial is held each year."Hundreds of veterans are expected at the service. Afterwards they will have time to visit the beaches at Dunkirk, or places which were significant to them personally. Tonight they will hold a march through the town of Depanne, just across the border in Belgium.Mr Allen said members of the association, which is to disband later this month at its members' request due to falling numbers, would gather in Dunkirk tomorrow morning for the Prince of Wales's arrival.Prince Charles will inspect a parade of veterans in the town square and lay a wreath at the town's war memorial. The veterans will hold a commemorative service a the International Dunkirk Memorial in the afternoon.Mr Allen said: "It is sad to have the last year of the veteran's association as we have been coming here for 25 years, but this will really make this year's celebration special.".

The Hay Festival is to be exported to the United States next year, with a twin event being held in Vermont or Connecticut. Organisers in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, are expecting 50,000 visitors this year, a 25 per cent annual increase and a £3m injection into the local economy. They believe their "brand" will lose none of its original identity when it travels. The Hay Festival is to be exported to the United States next year, with a twin event being held in Vermont or Connecticut. Organisers in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, are expecting 50,000 visitors this year, a 25 per cent annual increase and a £3m injection into the local economy.

They believe their "brand" will lose none of its original identity when it travels. The American literary event, for which media sponsors have already been secured, will carry Hay's name, becoming "The Hay Festival in Vermont/Connecticut". A spokeswoman said: "All the original identity will be transmitted; only the 'on-Wye' will be missing."Peter Florence, the festival director, said the export would create an opportunity to explore American literature. "The intimacy of the festival is what makes the brand special. Listening to questions from the audience, it is clear a lot are from America. Most people visiting our website are in the States."We are also going to have an opportunity to promote Welsh writing abroad.