SECOND World War veterans who escaped as prisoners of war travelled to Eden Camp, near Malton, from all parts of the world for their annual reunion at the weekend.

The Escape Lines Memorial Society was formed when the RAF Escape Society and the Army Prisoner of War Escape Club changed as a result of declining membership, said Nick Hill from Eden Camp.

“We are very proud that the Society’s International Memorial is sited at Eden Camp,” said Mr Hill, who added that wreaths had been laid at the memorial by representatives of the governments and veterans from France, Italy, Australia, Canada, Belgium and the United States.

The society’s four patrons attended the reunion – Frank Dell, who travelled from Australia especially for the event, Lady Hodges, wife of Sir Lewis Hodges, who died recently, Stan Johnson of Eden Camp, and Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

In addition, the society’s newly-appointed patron, Sir Nicholas Young, chief executive of the British Red Cross Society, also attended the event.

Among the 200 guests were three safe-house keepers – French women whop helped the Brits make their escape.

“It was a very special event for them and everyone else, especially as the youngest of the three is now aged 84,” said Mr Hill.

Eden Camp is itself a former POW camp.

Mr Hill said: “There we have the most comprehensive exhibition of escape from POW camps.”

He added: “It is good that the reunion is still held and that the veterans are able to meet and chat.

“They all actively escaped as POWs to get back to their own lines or back to Britain.”

The camp, one of North Yorkshire’s leading tourist attractions, had more than 11,0000 visitors over the Easter holiday.

Mr Hill said: “We are confident of a bumper year after such a great start to the season.”