THE Burnham boat crews who rescued British soldiers from Dunkirk during World War Two will be commemorated with a plaque.

Three little ships are known to have left here for the French coast in May 1940 in an attempt to save the stranded troops.

Oyster dredgers, Vanguard and Seasalter, were joined by a yacht called Ma Joie on the mission.

However, town councillor Nick Skeens said the council and Alan Bellchambers, the man behind the plaque, were being made aware of others Burnham boats involved in the rescue.

Mr Skeens said: "We know that unfortunately the Vanguard has been burnt out and vandalised.

"The boat's been sitting down on the marshes at Canvey Island so we're going to go down there and see what kind of state she's in.

"We also know that Kenneth Whiting, who was a marine engineer in Burnham, was on a boat that left Ramsgate called the Chantecler."

He added: "We're looking for more information on a boat called Bou Saada.

"She was built in 1935 and is recorded as having taken part in the rescue operation."

The council and Mr Bellchambers are also aware of a boat called 'Nellie' owned by Rice and Cole.

Mr Bellchambers first had the idea of celebrating those who made the effort to travel to Dunkirk in the 1990s.

He explained what had prompted him to put the idea forward.

He said: "I used to be a neighbour of Len Salmons who was the skipper of Seasalter.

"We got talking one day and ended up on the subject of World War Two which is when he began to tell me about his role in Dunkirk.

The small boats were tasked with taking troops from the shore out to the larger ships which would evacuate them.

Mr Bellchambers explained one of Ma Joie's propellers became snagged on a rope and had to be abandoned.

However, Vanguard and Seasalter both returned to Burnham and did so with 96 troops on board.

It is hoped the dedication which is planned to be near the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club will be in place by early summer next year.

In the meantime, the council and Mr Bellchambers are eager to hear from people with more information about the Burnham little ships which headed to Dunkirk.

Email office@burnhamtowncouncil.com or send a letter to Cllr Nick Skeens at Burnham Town Council, Chapel Road, CM0 9JA.