A four-day programme of events is being held in Oakhill and Ashwick to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

When VE Day dawns on Friday May 8 2020 it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe.

Years of carnage and destruction had come to an end and millions of people took to the streets and pubs to celebrate peace, mourn their loved-ones and to hope for the future.

Communities throughout the UK are planning events for a national weekend of remembrance and celebration.

In Ashwick and Oakhill many groups and societies, clubs and local businesses are coming together to arrange a programme for everyone in the community. Several events are synchronised with similar ones elsewhere.

One of the organisers, Lin Thorley, said: "The idea is that we will celebrate not only peace and remember those who served, especially those who died, but also we aim to get the whole community together - as they would have been in those days."

The programme is still being worked on, but the outline plans currently include starting in the afternoon of Thursday May 7, when Oakhill School children will visit a Second World War display in Oakhill Village Hall, which will be up for the whole of the weekend.

On the anniversary day itself, the bank holiday Friday May 8, at 3pm there will be a village gathering at Oakhill War Memorial, which will see remembrance for the fallen of the Second World War.

At 3.30pm there will be a toast to the nation at the Oakhill Inn, and at 6.30pm there will be a big band dance party at the village hall and in a marquee on Oakhill Recreation Ground, which will include the Oakhill Vocals, the Terry Hill Big Band, food, drink, dancing and 1940s dress.

On Saturday May 9, there will be a vintage tea for senior citizens in the village hall at 2.30pm, and a family street party in the marquee on the recreation ground from 3pm.

Finally, on Sunday May 10, at 10am there will be a special service at Ashwick Church that will include the playing of the Last Post, and at 10.45am there will be tea, coffee and cakes at Ashwick Church Rooms.