LOTTERY funding of £13,480 has been secured in Wimborne for a summer of activities to commemorate 60 years since the end of the Second World War.

The summer will be packed with activities, including exhibitions in the town's museum, services at the Minster, the striking of a commemorative coin and a parade of vintage vehicles.

There'll also be a screening of what is thought to be the only surviving cinema reel copy of the Dad's Army film.

Organisers are delighted at the lottery grant, which will give the events a higher profile than would otherwise have been possible.

David Hoyle, secretary of the Wimborne Town Victory 60th Anniversary Committee, said: "The lottery grant is a tremendous boost. The commemorative coin strike was dependent on it.

He added: "It means we can give more publicity to the things we've been planning since August."

A competition is being planned for local schoolchildren to design the special coins and youngsters will have a chance to strike their own coins during two big celebrations on July 17 and September 3.

The VE day anniversary will be marked at the annual civic service at Wimborne Minster this Sunday. The Dad's Army film will be screened at the Tivoli on June 2.

The Albion Hotel will host a big band night on June 3 and a youth music festival on June 4.

Other diary dates include a commemorative dance at the Royal British Legion Club in Wimborne on July 16.

Royal British Legion war veterans will parade on July 17, some in vintage vehicles, others with members of the emergency services and local organisations.

On August 15 a simple act of remembrance will take place at the War Memorial to mark VJ Day.

First published: May 6