A MOVING tribute is set to occur onboard Windermere's historic cruise vessel MV Swan to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Richard Cowie, a bagpiper, will honour the memory of Bill Millin, the brave piper who famously walked along Sword Beach during the D-Day invasion in 1944, boosting moral of the allied troops.

This performance forms the penultimate part of ten tributes, organised over 10 days at locations throughout Cumbria by the Cumbria Freemasons and the Royal Pageant Master of Buckingham Palace.

At 8am on Wednesday, June 5, the day before national D-Day commemorations, Mr Cowie will play on the deck of the MV Swan, which has been cruising since June 10, 1938, when Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister and gas masks were distributed as the Second World War approached.

Bill Bewley, chairman of Windermere Lake Cruises and head of Cumbria Freemasons, said: "This will be a very special event and a very important one too.

"D-Day was a defining moment in our history and it is only right that we commemorate it and remember all those who took part.

"Windermere Lake Cruises is honoured to be involved in helping to stage this part of the wider, national commemorations."

As a part of a larger national programme of remembrance, these performances started 80 days before D-Day.

Mr Cowie will perform the 'haunting' song 'Highland Laddie' at various, including Kendal, Milnthorpe, Ambleside, Penrith, and Windermere, between May 28 and June 6 at 8am.

Neil Dixon from Cumbria Freemasons said: "We are honoured to be orchestrating this event of national significance, in concert with the esteemed Royal Pageant Master of Buckingham Palace.

"It is a prime example of our commitment to service, as we pay homage to a remarkable chapter in history."

The figure honoured through these performances is Bill Millin. He was a personal piper to Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, and commander of the 1st Special Service Brigade.

He daringly ignored the British military's prohibition on pipers at the front.

Sporting his Cameron tartan kilt, Mr Millin walked along Sword Beach, ultimately emerging from the day unharmed.

German sharpshooters later confessed that they were reluctant to target him, suspecting insanity.

The final performance in this series of tributes will take place at Kendal Rugby Club at 8am on June 6.

Later that evening at 5.30pm, a special event will host a commemorative parade, military vehicles, the Burneside Brass Band, and a period singer, with all proceeds going to Armed Forces charities.