Marking 70 years of freedom from Nazi rule

There has been widespread praise for the events that were staged across the Channel Islands this weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of the Liberation.

In Guernsey on Saturday, an estimated 20,000 packed the seafront in St Peter Port, while the controversial plan to split Jersey's main celebrations between Liberation Square and People's Park was, in the end, broadly supported.

The Royal visitor, Sophie Countess of Wessex, told ITV News it had been a "wonderful experience", describing the Channel Islands as "a beautiful place to be". But as there is talk of the 70th anniversary event being the last of its kind, what is the future for Liberation Day? Tamsin Eames reports.

Guernsey's Culture and Leisure minister, Deputy Mike O'Hara, wants the islands to formally declare Liberation Day as a bank holiday for future years to make sure celebrations continue.

Thousands of people turned out across the Channel Islands this weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of liberation from Nazi occupation.

But there have been fears raised that the 70th anniversary would mark the last of the big celebrations.

Deputy O'Hara, who organised the Liberation Day festivities in Guernsey, wants islanders to still be celebrating the occasion with as much excitement in 100 years and believes now is the time to make that happen.

Residents in Sark have been marking 70-years of freedom.

One islander was just a teenager when she was deported from the island with her mother and 6-year-old brother.

Nellie Le Feuvre was forced to grow up in German internment camps, Compiègne, Biberach then Liebenau.

She was a special guest at today's memorial service, being the last surviving resident who was deported from Sark, along with more than 60 others.

Gary Burgess has been reflecting on the days events...

Throughout the weekend of the 70th anniversary Liberation Day celebrations, you've been sending us your pictures. Here's just a selection:

The island of Sark celebrates its Liberation Day each year on 10 May, one day later than Guernsey and Jersey. For this, the 70th anniversary, events were based at Creux Harbour where islanders and visitors gathered for an open air service, a Dakota fly-past, and then a chance to relax and enjoy the day.

The United Church Service saw the harbour transformed into an open air congregation as those who gathered remember the events of 10 May 1945, when years of Nazi occupation came to an end.

Just as Guernsey and Jersey had the previous day, Sarkees gathered to celebrate their freedom, and mark the landmark 70th anniversary in their own way.

HRH The Countess of Wessex has been in Guernsey and Jersey today representing the Queen as the Channel Islands celebrate the 70th anniversary of Liberation this weekend.

The Countess started off being greeted by thousands of spectators at Footes Lane in Guernsey before receiving a similar reception at People's Park in Jersey in the afternoon

Our reporter Louisa Pilbeam met The Countess after her day across the islands.

70 years ago the Channel Islands were freed from five years of German Occupation during World War Two.

Today just like they did on 9th May 1945, crowds of islanders packed the streets to mark the momentous day in island history.

In Guernsey, 20 thousand people turned out as military parades, a huge cavalcade, and a Royal visitor made today's anniversary a day to remember.

Rob Moore joined the party in St Peter Port, as Sarnia celebrated 70 years of freedom...