A town remembers on 80th anniversary of VE Day

A VE Day 80 flag was raised as part of the commemorations in Irthlingborough

Many faces of those who remember the end of World War Two have now gone, but communities across the UK - including in Northamptonshire - have been marking the 80th anniversary since guns fell silent in Europe.

In Irthlingborough, the stillness of the early morning was broken by the plaintive sound of bagpipes on Parsons Green.

The strident tones of town crier John Farrar were then heard, delivering a VE Day 80 proclamation.

He was pleased that "quite a lot of people have turned up - it shows that people are still remembering and are still interested and it means something to them".

The town crier climbed the steps on the cross in the centre of Irthlingborough to deliver a proclamation

Among those watching the commemorations were two people who remembered how Irthlingborough marked the end of hostilities.

Robert and Pamela Ward were aged eight and seven on 8 May 1945.

Robert and Pamela Ward remembered the celebrations in Irthlingborough in 1945

Mrs Ward had found the war to be a frightening experience. She said: "We lived down Nicholas Road and there were all fields at the back. One day, they must have been doing an exercise and I thought the Germans had come.

"I was absolutely terrified. I remember my Mum drawing all the curtains so I needn't look."

Several people turned out early in the morning to take part in commemorations

When the coming of the Germans was no longer a threat and peace came, streets across Irthlingborough were filled with happy faces.

Mr Ward remembered "the older people putting trestles on the old green in Abington Road and they had newspaper cloths on the tables.

"They all brought out jelly, fish paste sandwiches and we had a big party. As kids, we really loved it."

The mayor, Tracey Walton, said young people needed to carry the messages of VE Day forward

The unbridled joy of 1945 has given way to more reflective commemorations in 2025, but later on Thursday Irthlingborough residents are being treated to a fish and chip supper while listening to a singer and a band.

Lanterns of peace are also due to be lit and the Last Post will be sounded from the church tower, as a reminder of the sacrifices of the war and of people across the world still striving for peace.

The mayor, Tracey Walton, said: "People have been saying that this one [anniversary] is probably going to be the most significant event for VE Day because we are losing our veterans now, so to be able to pass that on to our youngsters and make sure they carry that forward is really so important. It's part of who we are."