Young and old came together across Buckinghamshire to commemorate the 60-year anniversary of VE Day.

Members of the Royal British Legions around the county held parties over the weekend to remember the millions who sacrificed their life and suffered for the sake of peace.

Reporter Julian Howson spoke to people across the county about their memories of this momentous day.

VE Day will always have special memories for Peter Hale, president of the Royal British Legion in Marlow.

He celebrated his 80th birthday on May 8 and conceded that his memories of travelling back from Russia on his 20th birthday are a little hazy.

He said: "It was my birthday and we had a fair drop of rum so I don't remember a great deal.

"It was relief as much as anything."

Mr Hale believes that the legion can unite the generations and help remembrance to continue.

He said: "This isn't a club for old fuddy duddies.

"It's a club for young people as well.

"We need young people involved so it can continue.

"I don't think they teach enough about it in schools. Some people don't even know there was a war."

Daphne Hickman, 82, of Downley, told the Free Press that the hard times continued long after VE Day.

She said: "I remember VE Day with relief and hilarity.

"I don't think we appreciated how hard the peace would be.

"Rationing continued, there were blackouts and unexploded bombs around."

John Fontannaz, 79, of Marlow, lived through the blitz as a young boy.

He recalls: "I lived in 14 different houses and I never knew where I was going to spend my holidays."

Mr Fontannaz said he hasn't forgotten how little people had to survive on during the war.

He added: "Everyone was remarkably fit on it all and that was incredible.

"People who lived in the country were much better off because hares, pigeons and rabbits weren't rationed."

Originally from Sunderland, Walter Stevenson, 83, of Hazlemere, was awarded a Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) for a unique achievement.

He helped with the capture of three German officers the only ones ever to be captured at sea during the whole conflict.

Mr Stevenson says he feels differently about the war now than he did when he signed up as a young man.

He said: "I joined the forces because I wanted to fly and because I just didn't want anyone to bomb me mam.

"When you've been in the front line you realise it's nasty.

"I'm not brave or anything but I had to bury five men and I've seen people burned alive, and for what?

"It frightens you afterwards but you did what you had to do at the time."

He added: "The Germans want us to forget the war but they would say that because they lost it!"

Celebrations took place across the district.

In Flackwell Heath, the legion, on Common Road, received a new standard banner which was blessed at Christ Church, Chapel Road.

Members marched back to the legion to the sound of a band and a piper, and lieutenant Kenneth Ross took the salute.

It was also the 75th anniversary of the legion.

In Chesham, members of the legion laid wreaths at the memorial in Broadway at 9.30am.

Other celebrations took place a day early on Saturday, May 7.

The Royal British Legion in St Mary Street, High Wycombe, held an open day where members of the public where invited.

The hall was decorated with flags and balloons and after a bangers and mash dinner, pensioners partied into the night with a disco.

In Princes Risborough, the Royal British Legion, in Bell Street, held a party which carried on late into Saturday night.

The Trade and Social Club, in Queens Road, High Wycombe held a VE dance and sing-a-long which was attended by about 150 people.

VE Day facts

About 61 million people died in the Second World War

Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI wanted VE Day to be on May 7 but bowed to America's wishes to have it a day later

The USSR waited an extra day before beginning their celebrations

The end of the Second World War was in sight by the beginning of 1945

German forces surrendered in Italy on May 2 1945

On May 3 a German delegation came to surrender their forces in northern Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. They came to see Field Marshall Sir Bernard Montgomery at Lubeck, Germany

Hitler killed himself in the Fhrer's Bunker on April 30, two days after Mussolini had been captured and hanged by Italian partisans. It was two days, also, since Hitler had married his mistress Eva Braun, whom he poisoned before his suicide

In Britain, Churchill announced victory from the balcony of the Ministry of Health in Whitehall, making two brief speeches to a vast crowd. After the words "This is your victory!" the crowd roared back, "No. It's yours!"

The final document of unconditional surrender was signed at General Dwight Eisenhower's HQ in Reims on May 7, 1945