TRIBUTES have been paid to forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn after her death aged 103.

The singer entertained troops with morale-boosting visits to the front line during the Second World War.

Her family said in a statement they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers at the age of 103”.

They added: “Dame Vera Lynn, who lived in Ditchling, East Sussex, passed away earlier today, 18 June 2020, surrounded by her close family.

“Further information regarding a memorial service will be announced at a later date.”

The lyrics of two of Dame Vera Lynn’s most famous wartime songs, We’ll Meet Again and There’ll Always be an England, were written by composer Ross Parker, who was stationed at Colchester Garrison during the Second World War.

Earlier this year, ahead of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Dame Vera spoke of remembering “the brave boys and what they sacrificed for us”.

Colchester’s High Steward Sir Bob Russell recalled a jovial exchange with Dame Vera, who started her career in Southend, while he was serving as the town’s MP.

Sir Bob and his wife, Audrey, met the singer while at the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, in London.

“My wife and I were in the upper tier of boxes, same tier as the Royal Box, and in the box next to us was Dame Vera Lynn,” he said.

“Over the low-level barrier, separating our seats, Audrey and I chatted to her as the hall gradually filled up.

“It was a year when the Spice Girls were helping the Royal British Legion promoting the sale of poppies, and when they arrived at the back of the box Dame Vera joked to us that she was ‘old spice’.

“We asked if she would ever sing again in public - to which she said, laughing: ‘No. I don’t even sing in the bath now.’

“She was in great form. Smiling and chatting, greatly enjoying being at such a fantastic annual event where she was clearly much admired and appreciated by those who saw her sitting there.”

Sir Bob added: “One has to be of a certain age – either from the war years, or the first generation that followed – to truly appreciate what an icon Dame Vera was.

“An amazing person, for whom it was a real pleasure for me to chat to briefly, a chat which I remember as if it was only yesterday.”

The Queen referenced the title of one of Dame Vera’s most beloved wartime songs when she told the country, separated from families and friends during the lockdown: “We will meet again.”