VETERANS of one of the Second World War's bloodiest campaigns yesterday paid tribute to their fallen comrades.

Members of The Regimental Association of the Staffordshire Regiment attended the annual Anzio service at Stoke Minster.

After the service they laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and held a minute's silence.

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The campaign at Anzio, on the west coast of Italy, in 1944 was one of the Second World War's most bloody battles when allied troops landed and faced months of endless fighting on the way to capturing Rome.

Four veterans from that landing were among the crowd at Stoke Minster gathered to pay their respects.

Event organiser Fred Mason is one of them. The 84-year-old said: "When we landed there were only about 60 of us. It's the worst place I have ever been in my life.

"It was more like the First World War. We were in trenches and at one stage we were less than 50 yards from the Germans.

"We faced bombing, shelling and machine gun fire for five months. There was nowhere to escape. It has made a big impression on my life. I still get flashbacks after all these year. But I am one of lucky ones because I made it back.

"We've been holding this ceremony since 1965 when we had 130 officers and men at the service. Now there are only four of us left, but we will keep it going because you can never forget what people did there. I got malaria after Anzio and made it to Rome to go to hospital but many men did not make it to Rome and many men never come home."

The service marked the 65th anniversary of the Anzio landings in Italy and was attended by more than 60 people.

Among them was Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Derek Capey and the lady mayoress, his wife Joyce Capey.

Mr Capey said: "I am very proud to be remembering what happened all those years ago in Anzio.

"There are not many veterans left here to commemorate it but I hope the service goes on for many years to come.

"It's important because so many people gave their lives and fought in that battle and their sacrifice should be remembered."

Mr Capey laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the city council.

Speaking during the service, the Reverend David Lingwood said: "The wreaths that we will lay today are a sign of remembrance of the campaign when allied troops landed as part of the liberation of Italy from the fascist regime.

"It was a campaign in which many brave soldiers lost their lives. The wreath is not just a sign for information, it's a sign of emotions, feelings and remembrance of comrades and young men. Those young men went to do their duty and did not return, or returned injured. They were young men who never got the chance to grow old."