A GROUP of friends are stepping out on a mission to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

BT worker Trace Briggs, from Dunnington, has got together with four friends from the village to make his own personal tribute to his grandad, and the thousands of other ex-servicemen who fought in the war.

Mr Briggs, 38, of Dunnington Water Tower, is doing the coast-to-coast walk on July 12 in memory of his grandad, John Joseph Greenwood, who served in Burma during the war.

Mr Greenwood, of Smailes Street, York, served in the Kings Own Scottish Borders regiment in Burma from 1942 to 1946.

Like many servicemen he contracted a number of tropical diseases, leaving him in poor health after he returned to York, and he died in 1970 aged 48. "My grandad was just one of thousands of servicemen who fought abroad in the war, and I thought doing the walk would be a good way to remember him as July 10 is the last big festival of remembrance in this country."

He and his friends, Nick Blackstock, 44, Steve Cammidge, 42, Simon Parkinson, 39, and Clive Pottage, 43, will be raising money for the Royal British Legion and the Burma Star Association.

Meanwhile, City of York Council and York and District Council of ex-Service Associations will take part in a service of commemoration at York Minster on Sunday to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, and Lady Crathorne, will join civic dignitaries and representatives from York's twin cities, and a representative of each of the three Armed services at the event.

The Lancashire Artillery Volunteer Band will play during the service, which starts at 2pm, then lead the parade through the city centre at 3.15pm.

The parade will start in Dean's Gardens, and travel through Duncombe Place, Blake Street, Davygate, Parliament Street, and be dismissed in High Ousegate.

The salute will be taken by Lord Crathorne in St Helen's Square.

The event will be all-ticket, and these can be obtained by telephoning 01904 553384, by emailing liz.topi@york.gov.uk or writing to Liz Topi, Events Officer, City of York Council, 18 Back Swinegate, York, YO1 8ZD.

Updated: 09:45 Tuesday, July 05, 2005