Next Friday (8 May 2020) has been declared a Bank Holiday with plans for a series of national celebrations to remember the day the guns fell silent over Europe and Winston Churchill declared victory.

Due to the continuing lockdown, most of those plans have now been postponed until later in the year, but the city council is working with the library service and others to create a series of events and activities to mark the occasion together while being safe in their own homes.

Councillor Karen Kilgour, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and Armed Forces Champion at Newcastle City Council said: "This is an opportunity to remember those who sacrificed everything for their country and to celebrate a victory which has shaped how we live today.

“Of course, the restrictions in place due to coronavirus mean street parties and other events cannot go ahead but there are still things we can do to mark this very important date in history.

“That’s why we’re asking residents to celebrate this historic anniversary by decorating their homes with flags and bunting, joining in with online and virtual festivities and paying tribute to those who lost their lives during World War 2 by staying safe on this special day.

“We can all take part in the ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’ from the safety of our own home at 3pm on 8 May, as a thank you to those who gave their lives to ensure the freedom the country enjoys today.”