WAR veterans, politicians and members of the public will come together to honour the 70th anniversary of the day Victory in Europe was declared during World War Two.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Martin Donaghy, will lead the borough’s commemorations in Victoria Square on Friday and a special beacon will be lit to mark the occasion.

A service will be conducted in the square at 3pm by the Vicar of Bolton, Reverend Matt Thompson where Cllr Donaghy and veterans will lay wreaths at the town’s war memorial.

The Last Post will then be played, followed by a two-minute silence held in conjunction with other services around the country.

The commemoration will mark 70 years since the formal acceptance by the Allied forces of World War Two of Nazi Germany’s surrender of its forces — marking the end of the war in Europe.

Cllr John Walsh, who has been involved with organising the events, said: “For the majority of troops and the population as a whole, VE Day marked a turning point.

“The relief of people across the country, particularly in areas that had been subjected to bombing, was enormous — it is so important and that is why the community needs to be able to come together in an appropriate manner.”

Events will continue on Saturday at 9.32pm, when a World War Two veteran will read a tribute on Victoria Square — a passage that will be read simultaneously across the country.

A beacon in the shape of a ‘V’ will then be lit on the roof of The Wellsprings building, opposite the town hall.

More than 200 beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, following the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside Windsor Castle by Her Majesty The Queen at 9.30pm.

Residents of Bolton are invited to attend both events.

Cllr Donaghy has also been invited to join in the ringing of the bells at Bolton Parish Church on Saturday at 11am — the same time that they were rung across Britain 70 years ago.

He said: “VE Day is an important date in the year's calendar as it gives us all a chance to commemorate the end of the war in Europe.

“This year is even more significant, as it marks 70 years since the day when victory was declared in Europe. I would encourage all Boltonians to show their support and come along to the event.”