Little Ships left stranded in Dunkirk after bad weather pushes Channel conditions 'to the limit'

The remaining ships are expected to sail on Saturday, 31 May, a spokesman for the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) said.

Mick Gentry, of the ADLS, told the BBC: "It will be touch and go.

"The crossing on Wednesday was pretty much on the limit of where we like to be weather-wise.

"We are hoping for some divine intervention. It's paramount that we look after the old girls."

Today marks 85 years since the beginning of the Dunkirk evacuation, which saw around 1,000 private boats of all shapes and sizes sail from the UK through heavy enemy fire to save allied troops.

More than 338,000 soldiers were rescued over nine days.

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Seven Royal Navy patrol vessels and RNLI lifeboats escorted these ships to the French port.

Ian Gilbert, Honorary Vice Admiral of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, said: "This will be the first time when we've gone over when there are no veterans.

"The little ships are the veterans because the living link has now gone, and we have to keep these boats alive to keep the memory alive."

Operation Dynamo is regarded as one of the key moments of World War Two, with several individuals emphasising the importance of remembering the event.

Coastal Forces Squadron Commanding Officer Carla Higgins said: "It is hugely important to continue to commemorate such events in our history and highlight the role such Little Ships had to play in Operation Dynamo.

"Coastal Forces Squadron is very proud to be a part of this event, particularly since it has been ten years since the last commemoration of this scale.

"It will be quite a spectacle to see so many paying their respects across the Channel."