A french pipe band is raising funds to erect a statue of Bill Millin: The Scottish Piper immortalised in the 1962 adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's book, The Longest Day.

Serge Athenour de Gourdon, president of the Mary Queen of Scots Pipe Band of France is leading a campaign to raise £83,000 for a bronze statue dedicated to the Commando.

The Monument  will be unveiled at Colleville-Montgomery, near the site of Sword Beach.

At present the campaign to raise a statue of D-Day piper Bill Millin, right, is halfway towards its £83,000 target

Brigade Commander Lord Lovat ignored orders from Military High Command that pipers should not play because of fears over casualties, and ordered 21-year-old Bill Millin to lead his troops ashore to the skirl of the pipes.

Although sadly now departed Bill Millin's place in history is assured as the piper playing "Highland Laddie" as the 1st Commando Brigade stormed Sword Beach on 6th June, 1944.

The picture of the 21-year-old commando from Glasgow became one of the enduring images of the Normandy landings which later paved the way to Hitler's defeat in the Second World War.

The memorial, dedicated to the Commando is faithful down to the last details of his bagpipes, kilt, weapons, badge and rucksack.

This statue is not a tribute only to Bill Millin but to all those who contributed to the liberation of Europe.

You wouldn't be reading this if brave men like Bill Millin had not gone into battle against the Nazis to secure our future, please give generously to keep thier memory alive.

Those wanting to make a donation can do so through the website www.ddaypiperbillmillin.com.