Beacons will be lighting up the UK landscape

More than a thousand beacons and several hundred “lamp lights of peace” are expected to be lit across the UK to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

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Communities throughout the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are encouraged to take part in the commemoration to recreate the jubilant scenes of May 8, 1945, when people up and down the country lit hundreds of bonfires and beacons as the celebrations following the news of the German surrender went on into the night.

A gold-plated lamp light made especially for the 80th anniversary of VE Day will be carried into St Paul's Cathedral and blessed by the Dean, before being taken to Tower Bridge where its flame will be used to illuminate the central London landmark.