Events to mark VJ Day anniversary

Veterans and children in Ipswich will lay crosses at the war memorial

Veterans across the eastern counties have taken part in events to mark the 60th anniversary of VJ Day, when Japan surrendered to the Allies.

In Suffolk, 60 crosses were laid by 30 veterans and 30 children during a service at the war memorial in Ipswich.

People in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk were able to go to an English Heritage event at the Row 111 House on South Quay - an area heavily bombed during the war.

A commemoration service was also held in Abington Square, Northampton.

There was a two-minute silence and a bugler sounded the last post.

Commemorations in Cambridgeshire included a Dad's Army Day held in the village of Burwell near Cambridge, and in Peterborough a ceremony was held in the Sunken Garden in Central Park.

National museum

Mark Seaborn, from the Royal British Legion in Cambridgeshire said it was an important day for veterans.

"All servicemen pray for peace, they don't wish for war," he said.

"Although we know we don't have complete peace in the world, that's what we hope and pray for."

On Monday, a national museum dedicated to those who were prisoners of war in the Far East is being opened at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

It has been built by the Children of Far East Prisoners of War, founded by Carol Cooper from Norfolk.

Also on Monday, BBC Look East is broadcasting a VJ Day special dedicated to Far East veterans.

It can be seen at 1830 BST on BBC1.