“The D-Day Centre is a place to treasure and I’m delighted to be here today,” said the mayor. “It’s the most wonderful place and brilliant for veterans, and as an education centre for children to learn about the sacrifice that people made during D-Day, including our American allies, many of whom left from here and never came back.

“Derek and the team have done an amazing job at the D-Day Centre, and it’s been a real pleasure to see all the amazing regeneration that has been going on in Castletown, where I used to work.”

Centre manager John Davis and his team of volunteers were hand as Cllr Sandy West officially opened the family attraction, which is part of the Castletown Regeneration Project spearheaded by Agincare founder and chairman Derek Luckhurst.

The award-winning D-Day Centre delivers an immersive experience, offering young and old a unique chance to discover the important role played by the Port of Portland during the allied invasion of Northern France on D-Day in June 1944.

Visitors will encounter a wartime harbour scene where men and equipment are being loaded onto a landing ship moored alongside the dock, making ready for its imminent departure for the occupied beaches of Normandy.

There is an impressive array of authentic World War 2 (WW2) artefacts and vehicles, including a full-size replica Spitfire, a Bofors 40mm gun and even a restored Sherman tank, plus interactive audio-visual displays, tank tours and a D-Day bunker.

To enhance the D-Day experience, visitors are encouraged to get hands on with the equipment, climb on the vehicles and even dress up in authentic WW2 uniforms.

The centre features new and improved displays for 2021 and is easy to find – it has a Sherman Tank parked outside Admiralty Buildings in Castletown, Portland, with free parking nearby. For further details visit www.ddaycentre.com