VE Day organiser calls for public to adapt celebrations to coronavirus lockdown as main events cancelled

Events planned to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day have been officially cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Friday, 8 May was meant to see celebrations across the country marking the end of the Second World War in Europe.

The man behind 18 months of planning is Pageantmaster Bruno Peek, who lives in Lowestoft.

He spoke to ITV Anglia's Becky Jago about the alternate plans they were drawing up instead:

Had the day gone ahead as planned, one of the highlights would have been buglers playing the Last Post on top of the UK's four highest mountains.

That's had to be cancelled, but Mr Peek encouraged to still take part in 'The Nation's Toast' at 3pm.

He said: "We’re saying to the public stop what you’re doing at 3pm, raise a glass and undertake a toast to the heroes of WWII."

Mr Peek also said he had written to the Prime Minister asking for a similar day celebrating the country's NHS heroes from next year.

He added: "We need to choose a date and remember all these people did and then make it an annual event every year where we keep the profile of the NHS at the forefront, use it as a big national celebration of what’s the best of Great Britain."

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