Firewatcher still remembers the 'redness of the sky' 75 years after the Blitz

Prayers will be said at St Mary Redcliffe Church tonight to commemorate the lives of those killed during a Second World War bombing raid on the area 75 years ago.

The service follows a special procession through Bristol, which will pass by two churches that were badly damaged in the raid. St John's in Bedminster was burnt out on the night of 24th November 1940 and Temple Church was completely destroyed.

One man who still remembers that night is 97 year-old Eric Stanley, who was a young firewatcher at the time.

He recalls the morning after the air raid – his 23rd birthday – when he left his home in Knowle and had to carry his bike as he picked his way through rubble and burning buildings to get to work in Temple Street.

While Eric won't be able to join the procession, he says he'll never forget the redness of the sky