Devon and Cornwall mark 80th anniversary of VE Day

People in Devon and Cornwall have been marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe.

On 8 May 1945 at exactly 15:00 BST, Sir Winston Churchill took to the radio waves to announce Nazi Germany's surrender.

The date is known as VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, and this year marks 80 years since the announcement.

A number of events have been held across the counties including two minutes of silence, parades, marches and wreath-laying. Concerts, beacon lighting and bell ringing have also taken place.

In Plymouth a flag was raised at the Belvedere and a gun salute fired from the Citadel on Tuesday morning, followed by a parade on Plymouth Hoe.

Bombadier Adam Hurford, who was part of the gun salute, said it was "a privilege" to be involved.

Brixham also held a parade to the town's war memorial where a wreath-laying ceremony was held, followed by a march to Fore Street.

In Truro, town crier Lionel Knight began proceedings on the steps of Truro Cathedral.

This was followed by a wreath-laying service at the war memorial on Boscawen Street.

St Ives also held a wreath-laying ceremony attended by the St Ives Royal British Legion.

Live music was taking place on Plymouth Hoe before an evening concert at 17:30.

In Okehampton, vintage music was being performed throughout the day from artists Terrie-May Nightingale and Jive Junction.

There was also live performances from local musicians and choirs at Pendennis Castle in Falmouth.

Alison Dawe, local volunteer for English Heritage, said there had been "lots of interest" in tours at the castle throughout the day.

"People were really surprised about what was going on down here [and the part Cornwall played in the war], but it's important to share our history," she said.

A chorus of bells rang from cathedrals and churches across the country at 18:30, followed by beacon lighting events in a nationwide event at 21:30.

There was also bell ringing at Truro Cathedral, as well as other churches in the area, and at 21:30 the beacon will be lit at Truro Cathedral.

In St Austell, St Paul's Church in Charlestown and St Levan's in Higher Porthpean rang a peal of bells to mark the occasion.

In Falmouth, a beacon was lit at Pendennis Castle.

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