Beacons to be lit across South East for VE Day

Beacons are set to be lit in Surrey, Sussex and Kent

Beacons are set to be lit across south-east England to mark Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Villages, towns and cities in Sussex, Surrey and Kent will mark the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender to the Allies in World War Two.

A fisherman will light a beacon at the Peace Statue in Brighton and Hove in a ceremony bringing together the city's cadet forces, uniformed services and veterans for a short service.

Another beacon is set to be lit at an event in Crawley's Tilgate Park, which the town's mayor Sharmila Sivarajah called an "opportunity to remember and honour our heroes".

Beacon lighting events are due to take place at Tonbridge Castle and in Dover, Margate, Folkestone and other locations in Kent.

Surrey is set to see several beacons lit.

In Guildford an evening of music, speeches and refreshments is planned in Stoke Park, while a separate event will take place at Epsom Downs Racecourse.

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The Imperial War Museum says on its website that VE Day "meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions, had destroyed homes, families, and cities, and had brought huge suffering and privations to the populations of entire countries."

Huge crowds took to the streets on 8 May 1945 to rejoice.

Many people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.

The war against Japan continued until it announced its surrender in August 1945.