Millions watch BBC D-Day coverage

More than 25 hours of programming were broadcast on BBC TV and radio

BBC One's coverage of D-Day anniversary commemorations was watched by almost three million people on Sunday, according to overnight viewing figures.

BBC One's coverage of the ceremonies in France from 1345-1800BST drew an average audience of 2.9 million.

The EastEnders lunchtime omnibus was seen by an average of 1.3 million.

Earlier D-Day coverage from 0900-1100 was watched by 2.1 million, while the dramatisation D-Day, shown at 2000 attracted more than 4.2 million.

The BBC broadcast more than 25 hours of programming on TV and radio, based around commemorations in the town of Arromanches and at the sites of the invasion beaches.

BBC One showed a dramatisation of the landings, D-Day

They brought with them more than 50 miles of cables, as well as 40 cameras and a similar number of technical vehicles in what was one of the BBC's biggest overseas broadcasts.

The commemorations were presented by BBC newsreader Huw Edwards.

The D-Day landings, on 6 June 1944, saw more than 150,000 troops and thousands of vehicles land on the Normandy coast of France in a single day.

The amphibious landings were the beginning of the Allies' liberation of occupied Europe.

Guests at the ceremonies included UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, US president George W Bush, French president Jacques Chirac and Russian premier Vladimir Putin.