Plans are underway to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day in Whitehaven next year.

Whitehaven Town Council has revealed details of its planned activities to commemorate 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe.

VE Day - or Victory in Europe Day - is marked on May 8 and commemorates the Allies accepting the surrender of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

The early May Day bank holiday will be moved back four days next year to coincide with the anniversary.

A range of ideas have been drawn up by the town council's events team to mark the significant national event.

These include a World War Two themed dinner, photographic exhibition, and traders' fair.

The photographic exhibition will explore how the war affected Whitehaven, while the traders' event will include talks on a wartime theme and a vintage afternoon tea. The events will be held in St Nicholas' Gardens.

A Glen Miller tribute band with dinner is being planned for Whitehaven Civic Hall. Bunting will also be purchased by the council, which will be hung around the town centre.

Brian O'Kane, mayor of Whitehaven, said: "It's a really important time of the year to reflect on what happened all those years ago. I think Whitehaven has got to mark it in as many special ways as possible to reflect and honour the sacrifices that were made so society can exist as it does today.

"This is the first stage of us trying to put together a range of events to underline this special time. We are hoping to have a range of activities over several days to engage both young and old to recognise the significance of this historic event."

Gerard Richardson MBE, said: "As a veteran myself, I'm extremely proud to be a member of the town council's events team right now.

"The 75th anniversary is a great opportunity to remind people of the incredible sacrifices made by the country as a whole, not just the armed forces and it's right that the town council should play a major role in marking the event.

"It's also a great opportunity to bring people together and to show everyone what a fabulous country this is."