Beacon lighting to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

The beacon will be lit by the winner of a local competition

The 80th anniversary of the allied victory in Europe is to be marked with a special beacon lighting at a park in Leicestershire.

Local organisations will be present alongside other activities to mark the VE Day anniversary at Queen's Park in Loughborough on 8 May, with gates open from 20:30 BST.

The beacon will be lit at about 21:30.

A small flag-raising ceremony is also being held at the offices of Charnwood Borough Council in Southfields Road from 10:00.

Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE said: "It is a great honour to be Mayor of Charnwood for a second beacon lighting, after last year's event to mark 80 years since the D-Day invasion.

"This year's beacon lighting will be a poignant and memorable event for residents and visitors to Queen's Park.

"Charnwood has a rich military history and strong Armed Forces connection and marking the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives is so important."

Beacon lightings and events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day will also be taking place in towns and villages across Charnwood and around the UK.