Towns plan VJ Day 80th anniversary commemorations

Victory over Japan brought the World War Two to an end and thousands of people took to the streets in London to celebrate

Plans to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day this month in part of Warwickshire have been revealed.

On 15 August, a special flag will be raised at Leamington Town Hall while a short service will be held at Kenilworth War Memorial, Abbey End, at 11:00 BST, a Warwick District Council spokesperson said.

There will also be a national two-minute silence at midday.

Victory in Japan, commemorated as VJ Day, marked the end of World War Two when Japan announced its surrender to Allied forces on 15 August 1945.

Ahead of the day, on 10 August, there will be a service at St Margaret's Church, Whitnash and, a day later, Whitnash Town Council will raise the union jack and county flags as well as place more than 100 poppies on lamp-posts in the town.

Other events in the borough to mark the anniversary include a bellringing tribute at St Mary's Church in Warwick from 18:30 on 15 August.

They will be rung full circle in the traditional English style, as they were 80 years ago to celebrate peace, a council spokesperson said.

Meanwhile the same day in Leamington, also at 18:30, a service will be held at the war memorial on Euston Place.

Then, from 20:00, a beacon will be lit at Newbold Comyn, joining a national beacon-lighting.