Cathedral service to mark VE Day anniversary

A special service at Derby Cathedral will be held to honour the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Derby City Council said the commemoration - which was organised by the council, the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Derby Cathedral, the Royal British Legion, the University of Derby, and Derby Cathedral - will take place at 17:30 BST on Thursday.

The cathedral's bells will ring out as part of the event, the authority said, adding the service "will honour and remember the immense sacrifices made by so many" during the World War Two.

Malcolm Macnaughton, the Bishop of Repton, said it was important to mark the occasion and remember "the value of the people".

"Here were people who laid their lives literally on the line for the sake of justice, and of compassion and of peace," he said.

"I think sometimes in our day we forget what it is to have a sense of duty - duty went, they called, and they served."

Elizabeth Fothergill, Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, said the anniversary "is a time for reflection, remembrance and gratitude", and hopes the see people from across the county attend the commemoration.

"It is an opportunity for our community to come together to honour those who served, those who sacrificed, and those who gave everything to secure the peace we are so fortunate to enjoy today," she said.

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.