MALVERN will mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with a major event in Priory Park.

Victory in Europe (VE) Day is on Sunday but events will continue over the summer and include a celebration of Victory in Japan (VJ) Day and the final end of the war.

The main Great Malvern event will be on Sunday, July 10, with a parade and ceremony to tie in with national celebrations.

Brass bands, bugles and bunting will add colour and sound to Priory Park and the public are invited to attend wearing 1940s fashions.

Popular music from the war years will be played from the bandstand and teas will be served at Malvern Theatres.

The Union Flag will be raised and ex-service organisations, including the Royal British Legion, will parade standards and flags.

The Boys' Brigade Band will 'Beat the Retreat' and the Union Flag will be lowered at a sunset ceremony.

"We felt it was important to mark the anniversary in some way in Malvern and we hope as many as people as possible will attend," said Paul Hern, one of the event organisers.

The event is a collaboration between the Royal British Legion, the Boys' Brigade, Malvern Town Council, Malvern Hills District Council and Churches Together in Malvern.

Events this weekend include the dedication of a new war memorial in Welland on Sunday. There will be a service at St James's Church at 11am followed by a dedication ceremony at the memorial, which is on the village green outside Welland Primary School.

In West Malvern, there will be a special service at St James' Church on Sunday at 10.30am, conducted by The Rev. Canon Julian Charley.

A VE Day supper and entertainment event takes place at Stoke Lacy Village Hall tomorrow (Saturday) at 7.30pm. Visitors are encouraged to dress 1940s-style. Tickets are £10 for adults, £5 children from 01885 400601.

Bromyard and District Local History Society will have a display of wartime memorabilia tomorrow and Sunday at its base in Sherford Street, when photographs and written memories collected from residents will be on display.

See this week's Malvern Gazette for your memories . . .