THE Skipton reunion of the HMS Vesper veterans will be extra special this year.

The town's Vesper Association has commissioned a plaque to cement Skipton's link with the World War Two warship.

The memorial, which will be located in the canal basin off Coach Street, comprises two plaques.

One features the Vesper badge and motto and the other states that the ship was built by Alexander Stephen and Sons and was adopted by Skipton during warship week in World War Two.

An unveiling ceremony will take place during the Vesper reunion weekend, which starts on Saturday September 8.

Vesper Association secretary, Jean Phillip, said it was going to be a very special weekend. Admiral Sir James Eberle and Commander Harry Hartley have confirmed their attendance, along with the patron of the association and grandson of the ship's creator, Sandy Stephen.

Mrs Phillip said MP David Curry would be invited, as well as MEPs Edward MacMillan-Scott and Timothy Kirkhope. She is also writing to the Duke of Edinburgh, who served on a warship during the Second World War, to inform him of the occasion.

The plaques were largely paid for by the Tarn Moor Trust and Mrs Phillip said it was important to mark the town's connection with HMS Vesper and those who had served aboard her.

She added that many other associations had folded over the years, but Skipton's group had continued. She said she would like to hear from anyone with memories of the town's adoption of the warship, particularly people who were children at the time and wrote to the sailors on the ship. Mrs Phillip can be contacted on 01756 791593.