Family members and Wem dignitaries gathered in the town on Sunday to pay tribute to a member of the 'Great Escape' on the 75th anniversary of the Second World War mass breakout effort.

Cyril Swain, from Wem and known as 'Syd' joined the Royal Air Force before the war, flying a number of successful missions before he was shot down and taken to Stalag III, the camp of the 'the Great Escape' of March 24, 1944 that inspired the film of the same name.

According to Wem Civic Society's research, 'Syd' was probably last seen alive a week later when he was captured and shot by a Gestapo officer, and there were more than 30 people at a special service to honour his memory at St Peter and Paul's in Wem.

Shelagh Richardson, from the Civic Society, said: "There were 30 plus people at the commemoration including representatives from Wem Town Council, Shropshire Council, Wem Civic Society, Royal British Legion.

"The service at the War Memorial was dedicated to Cyril while the service inside encompassed all the 50 airmen killed.

"Tulips were laid at the memorial since one of Cyril’s grandmothers was Dutch.

"The Great Escape print is a permanent feature in the church. The central area of the picture consists of images from Stalag Luft III, including the shrine built by fellow airmen after the killing of their fellow officers. It is surrounded by pictures of the airmen killed.

"A great emphasis was placed on the sacrifice of those airmen, which allowed us our freedom, and the triumph of good over evil

"The book and information display in Wem Library will continue until April 11. This covers the life of Cyril Swain, Stalag Luft III Prisoners of War and the importance of the murders in the Nuremberg Trials."

The service was led by the Rector Nick Heron, while Councillor Connie Granger, mayor of Wem, also paid her respects alongside Shropshire councillors Chris Mellings and Pauline Dee.

Wem Town Hall also screened a special question and answer version of the film later on Sunday night.