SERVICEMEN and women, cadets and veteran organisations will be gathering in Pershore and Evesham on Sunday to celebrate Victory in Europe.

Evesham sea cadets will be taking part in what is expected to be one of the largest parades in Pershore's recent history. The parade, organised by the Royal Naval Association and Wychavon District Council, is to be led by the Royal Marines Band from Brittania Royal Naval College in Dartmouth with a Royal Navy Guard of Honour made up from serving personnel from HMS Excellent in Portsmouth.

Marching through the town will start at 2pm. The salute will be taken outside the town hall, then the procession will move on to Pershore Abbey for a short service of commemoration.

Earlier on in the day at Evesham another service of thanksgiving will be taking place to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VE Day. The service starts at 11.30am and will be attended by the mayor and mayoress, Councillor Andrew Dyke and Mrs Wendy Dyke, and is expected to last about 20 minutes.

The service is organised by the Evesham branch of The Royal British Legion and spokesman Jeff King.

He said: "Because of the number of events taking place for this anniversary throughout the county on Sunday, we felt it best to play this low key so as to give everybody the opportunity to remember their loved ones who took part in hostilities during the Second World War and, in particular, those who gave their all so that we could enjoy the peace and goodwill they fought so bravely for."

Legion Standards and members meet at the War Memorial at 11.15am and will be joined by the civic party at 11.25am ready for the start of the service at 11.30am. All are welcome.

Another event is being planned for July which will be to commemorate Victory over Japan.