The D-Day landings were a turning point in World War II

More than 6,000 ex-combatants, carers and family members plan to travel to France to mark the occasion on 6 June.

But the Normandy Veterans Association (NVA) says it has not been properly consulted and there is scant information about events or what permits veterans need.

The Ministry of Defence has denied the claims, saying it has given briefings.

Time shortage

Sidney Goldberg, from the NVA's national executive, said the government's organisational efforts had been "lamentable".

"They have shown a reluctance to meet us face-to-face, to consult with us on what is required. We are the only people about with experience of the 50th anniversary in 1994," he said.

He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "The government has very, very belatedly come into the picture but is now suffering from shortage of time."

Veterans' Minister Ivor Caplin said there had been a "huge amount" of preparation.

"This is a big, big project that we are co-ordinating at the Ministry of Defence to try to ensure there is proper commemoration and remembrance of the events of 1944 and 1945."

Historic operation

An MoD spokesman said there had been a number of meetings between its officials and senior representatives of the NVA.

He added further details about the event have only recently been released and are now available on the ministry's website.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and US President George Bush are among the leaders invited to attend the commemoration of the 1944 D-Day landings, along with thousands of former soldiers from around the world.

Allied forces landed on the Normandy coast as part of Operation Overlord before liberating France from German occupation during World War II.

Nearly three million Allied troops took part in the air, sea and land attack that became the first step to liberating Europe from Hitler.