Home Front veterans are honoured

Celebrations to mark the end of WWII

Thousands of pounds has been awarded to groups in the north-east of England to help Home Front veterans celebrate their part in World War II.

Those to be honoured include Usworth Youth Orchestra, in Washington, which has been awarded £6,750 to perform their tribute concerts.

Durham Light Infantry Association has been awarded £9,500 for a commemorative dinner for members.

The Big Lottery Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund is behind the scheme.

War effort

Nationally £7.3m has been set aside by the Big Lottery Fund as part of its Home Front Recall scheme to celebrate the war effort.

Other North East groups to be awarded grants include Royal Army Ordnance Corps Association Cramlington, Northumberland which has been awarded £1,980 for a dinner dance reunion, Grangetown Primary School in Middlesbrough has received £1,600 to visit Eden Camp museum.

Teesside Play and Education Resource Centre in Middlesbrough also receives £5,450 for a commemoration project.

Big Lottery Fund North East regional manager, Tim Davies-Pugh, said: "We want to recognise the contributions made by millions of people both on the frontline and home front.

"Whether they were building planes, putting out fires, breaking codes or looking after evacuees, they played a part in the success of the war effort."