The son of a vicar who lived through the Blitz has shared his experiences of surviving war time Epsom.

200 people packed St Martin’s Church in Epsom as Dr Francis Warner, son of the church's former wartime vicar and canon Hugh Warner, recounted his experiences of sheltering from Nazi bombs.

During his talk, Dr Warner set the scene by playing a recording of wartime air-raid sirens, a chilling memory for the over seventies, and told how soon after war was declared with Germany on September 3, 1939, London, and Epsom, became a target for bombings.

3,000 men and women from the borough were mobilised for duty and although Epsom was a country town it suffered heavily between 1940 and 1944 with 890 alerts sounded.

Thousands of bombs were dropped on Epsom during the war with 33 people killed by enemy action, 384 seriously injured and over 600 houses demolished or made uninhabitable.

A further 12,000 properties suffered damage.

Speaking at the church, Dr Francis Warner said: “The invitation to recall these events has compelled me to turn and face experiences I have spent a life time trying to forget.

“The nights, for instance when we were bombed out across the road in Church Street, and had to bring out pillows and sleep between the pews where you are now sitting, while Nazi bombers deafened us overhead and moving searchlight beams lit up these cold but protecting walls.

“I have found that far from being distant memories they are immediate and clear as the first glass splinters of bomb blast that cut my shielding hand.”

Peter Lallem, a member of the congregation at St Martin’s, said: “This was no doubt an absorbing look back at the war years in Epson and an outreach to so many living beyond the regular church congregation.

“Also it was a delight for the church to help raise funds for the Epsom Mayor’s charities.”

After the lecture, guests were treated to a piano recital by internationally recognised concert pianist, David Goode.

Proceeds from a retiring collection were donated to the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell’s chosen charities; Love Me Love my Mind, The Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund.