Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown has taken part in two ceremonies in Prestwick to honour those killed in the Battle of Britain.

Described as the first battle to take place entirely by air forces, the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm defended the country against large scale attacks by Nazi Germany forces.

The services on Sunday September 18 also took time to remember her Majesty the Queen and her role in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War 2.

The SNP MSP welcomed Poland’s Consul General, Lukasz Lutostanski to the Prestwick Royal Air Forces Association for a Battle of Britain Service of Remembrance for Polish Combatants at the Prestwick RAFA club.

After the services, Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown said: “In a weekend, when we naturally want to focus our attention to the life and death of her Majesty the Queen it is important we remember the sacrifice of young men who, against huge odds, prevailed against a terrible foe.

"I believe Queen Elizabeth would understand why, on Sunday, many quietly stood at war memorials, remembering those whose sacrifice paid for our freedom.

“I was honoured to attend two services in Prestwick and lay wreaths on behalf of the Scottish Parliament.

"It also allowed me to remember those who have no day set aside, who flew over the Atlantic too and landed nearly 10,000 planes in Prestwick as part of Ferry Command.

"59 of them were killed in a dreadful 4-week period in 1941.

"Some of those lie in Holmston Cemetery in Ayr.

"Like those heroes of the Battle of Britain in 1940, the young men from Ferry Command continued to deliver vital aircraft for the war effort.

“Following the example of Queen Elizabeth, let us never forget.”