Today marks 70 years since Barking and Dagenham suffered a devastating World War II air raid which killed 12 local residents.

At 7.30am on March 12 1943 five 250kg and eleven 500kg bombs fell on an area of less than a square mile.

Twelve local residents lost their lives. They were: Elizabeth Jameson, 29, and David Jameson, 4, of Marlborough Road, Dagenham; Lily Trickey, 34, Alan Trickey, six, and Leslie Trickey, two, of Marlborough Road, Dagenham; Sydney Wallis, 17, and Iris Wallis, 15, of Peartree Gardens, Dagenham; Kate Jones, 67, of Stratton Drive, Barking; Henry Morris, nine, Jean Morris, four and Brenda Morris, one, of Peartree Gardens, Dagenham; and Arthur Rawlinson, four, of Marlborough Road, Dagenham.

The Trickey family are buried at Chadwell Heath Cemetery, and the others (except Kate Jones) at Rippleside Cemetery.

Valence House archives and local studies centre, came across the names while they were compiling a database of civilians who died in Barking and Dagenham during World War II.

When complete residents will be able to access the details digitally.

For more information contact the centre on 020 8227 2033.