THE Waverley is sailing from Clevedon Pier to Lundy Island for a church service commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuation.

The famous paddle steamer will pick up visitors on Sunday, June 13, for the 25th annual church service on the island owned by the National Trust.

This year's service has particular significance as it will mark the 70th anniversary evacuation of troops from Dunkirk.

Paddle steamers played a vital role in both world wars as minesweepers and the Waverley was built to replace the original steamer, which fought her way out of Dunkirk only to be lost in the English Channel on her way back to Britain.

The Dunkirk evacuation took place from May 27-June 4 1940. On May 29, the Waverley was preparing to leave the beaches at La Panne with 600 troops aboard.

The ship was under steady attack by German aircraft and fought valiantly but a near miss disabled the rudder and she became a sitting target.

Waverley was hit by two bombs and began to sink, and 300 troops and sailors died.

Reverend Tom Clammer, a member of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society since he was a small boy and editor of the Steamer Magazine for junior members, is the priest for this year's service in the Victorian church of St Helena.

Tom is now an ordained priest serving six country parish churches in the area of the River Severn and is chaplain to Lydney Sea Cadets.

Over the 25 years the service has been taking place, there have been many visiting priests taking the service, including the famous broadcasting priest Rev Roger Royle, and often reading the lesson is actor Timothy West, with his wife, actress Prunella Scales, in the choir.

The service always takes the form of traditional Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer and the six bells of St Helena's are rung by visiting bell ringers. The organist this year is Simon Morgan who is also assistant purser aboard Waverley.

Waverley sails from Clevedon Pier on Sunday, June 13, at 8.30am and passengers can choose to visit Ilfracombe or sail on to Lundy Island. Tickets will be available on board and all children under 18 are half fare with children under five going free.

For more information about cruises aboard the Waverley call 0845 130 4647.