Time to party as town recalls days of victory

The celebrations in Weymouth will include a street party and remembrance event at the Nothe Fort and a family fun day on the beach.

Events at Nothe Fort will begin at noon when veterans from the borough will join a procession into the fort.

The Wessex Military Band will lead the parade with banners from the Royal British Legion.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Lynne Herbert will greet the crowds in the courtyard with a formal welcome.

The day continues with live music from local musician Roger Moody, Weymouth Operatic Society who will be singing war-time songs, and further performances by the Wessex Military Band.

Anyone with memories from the Second World War will have the chance to share their stories as part of the BBC's People War Series, a collection of radio recordings.

Inside the fort will be the famous matchstick fleet, a collection of model navy ships crafted over 50 years by Phillip Warren of Blandford.

Steve Davies of the borough council's tourism department said: "It's a remarkable assembly of hundreds of models - a lifetime's work of one man.

"It will be especially interesting for anyone with a connection to the Navy."

After the 2pm closing ceremony the fort will remain open to the public for the rest of the day.

The beach will host a family fun day with entertainment and games to mark the anniversary.

From noon a display of military vehicles will be on show along the seafront.

Families are invited to bring along picnics and enjoy the events of the day wearing red, white and blue or 1940s costumes.

Revellers of all ages will have the chance to turn back the clock with some old-fashioned games including egg and spoon races, It's a Knock Out-style tournaments and three-legged penalty shoot-outs.

A sand-castle competition will begin at 1pm with cash prizes for different age groups and at 4pm a balloon race with a first prize of £100 will be launched by the jubilee clock.

Raffle results and a grand prize giving will take place before 5pm.