Fundraisers are to walk the route taken by soldiers on a famous Second World War mission 70 years ago.

The group of 14, who are regulars at the Bricklayers Arms in Ongar Road, Stondon Massey, will retrace the steps of those who took part in Operation Market Garden, the Battle of Arnhem.

The unsuccessful mission was an attempt to capture several bridges over the Meuse Waal and Lower Rhine in the Netherlands to allow troops into northern Germany.

It was the largest airborne operation of its time and was immortalised in the 1977 film A bridge Too Far.

The men are planning to walk the same 75 mile route taken by Allied soldiers, who set off on September 17, 1944, for Help for Heroes and The Parachute Regiment charity.

Participant Gary Middleton said: "We've been training around Moreton every other weekend but we need to look for other routes.

"The scenery is getting a bit repetitive now."

The group is in the process of buying an old army vehicle for the trip to the Netherlands and is encouraging businesses to carry its logo on the side, in return for a donation of £70 to mark the 70th anniversary of the mission.

The group will set off from the Bricklayer’s Arms on September 15.

To donate click here or contact gary on gary.middlehurst@icloud.com