PEOPLE in Devizes did not let the coronavirus lockdown stop them celebrating VE day in style on Friday as they kept their distance but raised a toast to remember those fought to bring victory to the allies.

In Charles Morrison Close people of all ages enjoyed a special afternoon in the sun thanks to neighbours Sharon Barter and Jeanette Von Berg.

Ms Barter said: “It was an amazing afternoon. The children from the Close thoroughly enjoyed the jelly, cakes and drinks that Jeannette put on for them.

“I got the idea after I saw something on Facebook encouraging people to do social distancing street parties.

“Our neighbour Dave Howse did the exhortation speech, which was moving.”

A raffle raised £110 which will go to the military charity SSAFA.

Members of Devizes Royal British Legion were also determined the day to celebrate 75 years since the end of the war in Europe.

At 7.30am poppy collector Franklin Richmond was at the War Memorial in Long Street to raise the Union Flag and at 11am standard bearer Chas Stonestreet was outside his home as the country marked a two minute silence.

Later branch chairman Bobby Haslam and secretary Bede Etherington, who live in the same road in Devizes, joined neighbours for a distance street party.

In London Road, Devizes, pensioners David and Nina Lamb were determined Cocid-19 would not stop them commemorating VE day.

They created a fitting display outside their home as they took a trip down memory lane. Mr Lamb was a wartime child evacuee to to Devizes to escape the London blitz.

Elderly people living in Devizes Almshouses had an afternoon tea party while people in Bath Road also got in the VE Day spirit and toasted the fallen and war heroes from the Second World War.