A POIGNANT ceremony – at a social distance – will be carried out by the Mayor of Southend as the town unites to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day at home.

John Lamb will lay a wreath at the cenotaph in Clifftown Parade, Southend, on Friday – a bank holiday - as the town remembers the joyous events of May 8, 1945, when hostilities in Europe ceased.

Street parties and commemoration events were due to take place across the country, but other celebrations – at a social distance – have been hastily arranged to mark the landmark anniversary.

Residents will celebrating in a variety of ways including “stay at home” street parties, which are expected to take place.

The council has given the go ahead for these while urging people commemorate the event safely and with social distancing in mind.

Mr Lamb said: “This year, we were all looking forward to commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

“Unfortunately, given the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, we are unable to celebrate as we would’ve liked.

“However, this will not stop us from remembering the heroes who gave their lives for us in the Second World War, and I am delighted that we have a fantastic virtual event planned for the borough.”

The council will be supporting the Heritage Lottery-funded “HMS Leigh – Make Do and Mend” online, which is designed to engage school children and the wider community with the world class heritage of Southend Pier as part of the virtual celebrations of VE Day.

Ian Gilbert, leader of Southend council, added: “We are thrilled to support the HMS Leigh virtual event and hope local families can get involved and perhaps learn something new about our town’s iconic history and heritage as part of these virtual VE Day celebrations. We are also aware that a number of stay-at-home street parties will take place and urge people to be responsible and stick to the rules which are there to keep us all safe and well.”

Alastair Deacon, director of Blade Education, which is behind the HMS Leigh event, said: “HMS Leigh - Make Do and Mend is a fantastic opportunity to bring to life the amazing history of Southend during the Second World War and to remind the whole community of the pivotal role the pier played in the entire war effort as HMS Leigh.”

More guidance on street parties can be found on the council’s website at www.southend.gov.uk/stayathomestreetparty as well as information on virtual events, visit www.southend.gov.uk/veday