Isle of Man events mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

A military service at the Villa Marina saw drums used as a makeshift altar

Services of remembrance and a big band concert have taken place across the Isle of Man to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Ceremonies were held at war memorials in Ramsey, Douglas, Onchan, Port St Mary and Castletown to acknowledge the end of World War Two in Europe.

Church bells rang out across the island and a beacon was lit the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, joining a network of others being illuminated across the British Isles.

Commemorations also featured a free two-hour concert and military service was also held at the Villa Marina in the Manx capital.

The Manx public was also invited to fall silent at midday to commemorate the anniversary and remember those who fought during the war.

At a ceremony in front of a memorial commemorating VE Day and VJ Day in Hilary Park in the island's capital, Douglas Mayor Natalie Byron-Teare laid a wreath.

"The legacy of those who we honour continues to guide us forward," she said.

"As we look back to 1945 let us also look forward with hope, with unity, and with a renewed commitment to peace.

"The world has changed but the lessons of the past remain as vital as ever."

A small ceremony was held at the World War Two memorial in Hilary Park in Douglas

Ceremonies organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL) took place at the same time at the Onchan War Memorial and in the Port St Mary garden of remembrance.

An act of remembrance was also held at the Castletown War Memorial, where there were readings and the laying of wreaths.

After the national two-minute silence at noon, a similar service commenced in Ramsey.

A service was held in Port St Mary's Garden of Remembrance

The Douglas branch of the RBL hosted a wreath laying commemoration, including a reading of Sir Winston Churchill's famous radio broadcast from the day at 15:00 BST, reflecting the time the wartime prime minister announced the conflict had had come to an end in Europe in 1945.

A number of veterans laid wreaths at Douglas War Memorial

Veterans were among those to lay wreaths at Douglas War Memorial

Residents heard the sounds of church bells ring out at 17:00 at St George's Church in Douglas, followed by a peal at Cathedral Isle of Man in Peel at 18:30.

The commemorations continued with a big band concert of music from the wartime era at the Villa Marina.

It included solo performances by local singers Paul Costain and Nicola O'Connor, alongside narrations by school pupils.

A concert at the Villa Marina featured music from the wartime era

Led by the Royal British Legion, a traditional drumhead service then followed.

The military religious service, which uses drums as a makeshift altar, saw readings by Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and the island's Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer.

At about 21:30 a commemorative beacon was lit by Sir Lorimer in the grounds of the venue, which saw hundreds of people attend to pay their respects.