FORMER servicemen and their families gathered on Victoria Square yesterday to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Bolton and District Combined Ex-Servicemen and Servicewomen's Association held their traditional VE Day parade, marshalled by Sergeant Jeff Beardsworth, who is also manager at the Bolton Army Careers Information Office on Great Moor Street.

The Vicar of Bolton, Canon Alan Wolstencroft, offered up a bidding prayer before the last post was sounded.

Prayers were followed by the laying of wreaths on the cenotaph.

Many people who had taken part in the service later attended a nostalgic concert at the United Veterans' Club in Duke Street.

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