Thousands throng streets as country marks the end of the war in Europe

As Big Ben chimed at noon and with the Cenotaph, the symbol of sacrifice, draped in the union flag for the first time since its unveiling in 1920, the UK marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with military pomp before large crowds who had gathered in central London.

- Caroline Davies

Buckingham Palace may have served as the centrepiece of yesterday's spectacle before Thursday's anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. At the event's heart, however, were the second world war veterans, those remaining few who bore actual witness then and who today serve to remind us.

Back in 1945, Britain allowed itself a brief period of rejoicing on VE Day, with overwhelming relief and optimism at Germany's surrender after long wartime years of deprivation and huge loss of life on all sides.

Yesterday, the first of four days of commemorations, tribute was paid with a 1,300-strong military procession, a flypast, marching bands, massed pipes and drums, and youth cadets. The procession set off from beneath the bronze gaze of Winston Churchill's statue in Parliament Square and ended outside the palace. Elsewhere in the UK, street parties were held.

Thousands of people crowded on to the Mall, many waving red, white and blue flags on an overcast bank holiday Monday.