A special commemorative service has taken place to mark the 80th anniversary of the crash of a Lancaster bomber off the Suffolk coast during the Second World War, which resulted in the deaths of seven airmen.

The service took place on the steps of Felixstowe Town Hall on Sunday before a wreath was dropped out at sea at the exact spot about a mile off the town's shoreline where the bomber went down on August 25, 1944.

Prior to Sunday's commemoration, Felixstowe mayor David Rowe laid a wreath at the grave of one of the airmen, Flying Officer (F/O) Glyn Davies Mathias, who is buried at Felixstowe cemetery.

READ MORE: Airman shot down over France in emotional reunion

The aircraft had taken off from RAF Methwold on a mission to bomb a V-1 flying bomb site in Vincly, France, but was hit by enemy flak fire near St Omer as it returned home, resulting in the loss of two engines. 

The crew attempted to get their crippled plane to RAF Woodbridge's Emergency Landing Ground, but were forced to turn back towards the coast.

Witnesses saw the bomber circling Felixstowe with its undercarriage lowered before it crashed into the sea near the town's New Pier and was consumed by fire before sinking in 12 feet of water.

A painting of the Lancaster bomber that crashed by John Constable ReeveA painting of the Lancaster bomber that crashed by John Constable Reeve (Image: John Constable Reeve) READ MORE: Felixstowe news

At Sunday's service, Mr Rowe read the original letter of condolence, while Sharon Harkin, chair of Felixstowe Museum, read a letter from Matilda Dyer, mother of one of the airmen, Sgt William Augustus Dyer.

Other crew members who lost their lives included Sgt Angus Craig, Sgt George Covell, F/O Charles Bryce Oxenham, Flt Lt Doug Haggis and Flt Sgt Ernest George Murray.

Mr Rowe said Felixstowe was "forever indebted" to the airmen who put the lives of the town's residents before their own.

Attendees at the commemoration events included relatives of the airmen and personnel from RAF Honington in Suffolk.

READ MORE: Suffolk news

Mr Rowe said: "It went very well. There were an awful lot of people who joined the service and sat on the sea wall on the other side of the road looking on. There were a few people on the other side of the Town Hall."

He added there were "getting on for" 100 people on the seafront.

"There has been quite a lot of interest in the story. It is important that we keep this history alive, otherwise it will be lost forever," Mr Rowe added.