Seven survivors of Bomber Command from Nottinghamshire are preparing to meet their former comrades at one of the biggest reunions for the command's 60th anniversary.

The seven veterans took part in hundreds of bombing raids over Europe during World War II.

Wireless operator and gunner Ivan Arum from Mansfield has called his group the Magnificent Seven.

Mr Arum, who won the Distinguished Flying Medal, said: "We used to go to mark the enemy targets and because we were in first, the enemy didn't like you and did their best to dispose of you."

The three-day anniversary celebrations are being organised by Doncaster Borough Council from 23 to 25 August.

The reunion will last three days

Another member of the group, Dennis Slack was shot down over Berlin.

"We got the order to bail out and I dropped out and made a successful landing.

"I had hoped to walk back to England but didn't. I was unlucky," he said.

The reunion will include flypasts, a remembrance service, tree planting and a visit to East Kirby Air Museum in Lincolnshire.

The vast majority of servicemen in Bomber Command were aged between 18 and 28 years, and a total of 57,000 were killed in action.

Mr Arum said: "All the 57,000 men who lost their lives are the biggest heroes."