THE Government has announced nationwide celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Days.
Almost 384,000 British soldiers and 70,000 civilians died in the Second World War.
The country will unite through a series of commemorations, including a VE Day concert, military procession and flypast, nationwide street parties, and services at the National Memorial Arboretum and Westminster Abbey.
These events will be open to the public through ticketed events or live TV broadcasts.
The celebrations aim to bring generations together to share and hear local wartime stories.
The Government is encouraging towns to take part in the Tip Top Towns initiative, which calls for community and volunteering groups to prepare towns and villages for celebrations through activities like hanging bunting, litter picking, and crocheting bonnets for letter boxes.
The Letters to Loved Ones initiative encourages the public to dig into their family histories, find war stories, and share them on a dedicated website.
There will also be the Our Shared Story scheme, an education resource for schools to encourage young people to engage with veteran testimonies and experiences throughout the year of VE80.
"As we approach the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan, it is up to us all to ensure that the memory of those who risked so much for us in Leigh and Atherton is protected and lives on for many years to come."
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy MP, said: "Just as people took to the streets in 1945 to celebrate the end of the Second World War, it is with great pride that I am able to announce the measures this Government will take to mark the occasion of VE Day in 2025.
"This is our shared National Story."
To get involved in local or national events, go online for more information.
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