A HISTORICAL trust is searching for survivors of the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation as its vessel is set to star on the big screen.

Leigh’s Endeavour Trust wants veterans to come aboard its Dunkirk Little Ship at various events this year and is on the lookout for previously unknown survivors.

The appeal comes as the Endeavour, Leigh’s Little Ship that went to Dunkirk, is set to appear in a film marking the dramatic voyage.

Finlay Marshall, trust committee member, said: “Some of these men are remarkably active, despite most being in their nineties. Endeavour joins other boats to celebrate the miracle of Dunkirk and we get fascinating stories when they come aboard.

“We have events during the year when we would be delighted to entertain them and fill in the history.”

The Echo recently featured the story of Alfred Smith, 96, of Shoebury, who received France’s top military award, the Legion d’Honneur, last year. He was contacted by the trust to get involved.

Mr Smith was one of only 31 members of a 107-strong unit of Royal Army Service Corps to be rescued from the Dunkirk beaches.

Mr Marshall added: “We invited him to our annual dinner but he was off for the weekend with his friends. However, he hopes to join us during the summer at one of our events.”

With the Dunkirk story set for the Hollywood treatment by award-winning British director Christopher Nolan, Mr Marshall wants to find more survivors to join him on the Endeavour.

As part of the film, Little Ships, including the Endeavour, will recreate their heroics of 75 years ago.

Some of the filming is scheduled to take place in Ramsgate in May, with more set for Dunkirk, when some boats will be involved in action sequences.

Mr Marshall added: “If we can find local veterans it might be possible to take them to Ramsgate for commemoration ceremonies there and maybe to see some of the filming.

“There are other events including the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships veterans’ weekend when the vessels take them out on the Thames.

“Old soldiers from all over the country attend every year to reminisce with old friends.

“For the crews, it is a humbling experience to hear what it revealed about conflicts from the Second World War until the present.”