Churchill anniversaries at palace

Blenheim Palace was built in thanks for Marlborough's victory

An exhibition to celebrate two key Sir Winston Churchill anniversaries is to be held at his Oxfordshire birthplace, Blenheim Palace.

It will mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the World War II, and 40 years since Churchill died, aged 90.

The exhibition will celebrate the achievements of Sir Winston and his ancestor and hero John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.

The palace was built for the Duke after he won the 1704 Battle of Blenheim.

The exhibition, which will run from 28 May until 11 September, will show how Sir Winston drew inspiration from the feats of Marlborough and his victory against the French army at Blenheim.

The palace opens to the public on 12 February after its winter shutdown and will continue to feature its usual attractions, including the room in which Sir Winston was born in 1874 and the arboretum where he proposed to Clementine Hozier.

A triathlon, which is expected to feature more than 1,000 athletes, and a tattoo and country fair are other events planned for the country estate during 2005.