THEY were known as the Few - but many had reason to celebrate their courage.

Yesterday marked the 65th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain, during which the bravest of pilots repulsed the threat of a Nazi invasion.

Thanks to the passing of time, the Few are even fewer, so those who do remain should be heralded.

The thanksgiving celebrations yesterday saw a memorial flypast over York Minster while, in London, Prince Charles unveiled a long-overdue monument which acknowledges for all time the efforts of the Few.

Updated: 09:18 Monday, September 19, 2005