DEVIZES Town Councillor Jeanette Von Berg was just 12 when VE day was celebrated but she has clear memories of the day that Britain celebrated the end of the war in Europe.

She said: “I lived in Putney in London and there were huge celebrations. We were all out on the street.

Mrs Von Berg, 86, who met her husband while serving the in the air force had taken on the task of organising the VE day celebrations that would have taken over the Market Place in Devizes as they did 75 years ago.

But the Coronavirus emergency meant her grand plans for street parties, games, food, and music for the whole town had to be cancelled.

She though is determined to still keep the mood of VE day alive where she lives in Charles Morrison Close.

She has joined forces with neighbour Sharon Barter who has invited everyone in the street to set up tables on their driveways or on the pavement on Friday afternoon.

She said: “We are just a small close and we will be able to do this and still keep family groups two metres apart.

“We will have bunting, flags, music and food.”

Ms Barter said: “I am doing everything I can to make it a success. I have a lot of 1940s music so we will have that playing.

“I think the community need something like this to take our minds off coronavirus. I have delivered invitations to every house in the close and I just hope as many people as possible come out to join in.

“We have all been coming out to clap for the NHS on a Thursday evening and I think that is helping to create more of a community spirit.

“Until now most people have only just said ‘hello’ to each other but now we are all starting to feel closer. We are keeping our fingers crossed tor the weather. “