PUBS may be shut and street parties cancelled but the residents of north and west Wiltshire were today gearing up for a big stay-at-home VE Day party.

Many householders were out early this morning putting up bunting and Union Jack and Lest We Forget flags on the front of their homes.

Here’s some of the scenes in Bradford on Avon, Holt and Trowbridge.

Cream teas, rather than a day at the pub or the seaside, are likely to be high on most people's agenda for this afternoon, with some residents planning to add sparkling wine or champagne to celebrate.

VE Day took place on May 8 1945 and saw the nation celebrate peace in Europe after six years of conflict with church services, the ringing of church bells, dancing, parades and street parties.

Sadly, because of the Government’s Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown restrictions, the public events and activities originally planned to take place this year have all been cancelled.

Families have been urged to Stay at Home to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe and party in their own gardens.

Wiltshire Council has created a special VE Day at home pack to help residents of all ages celebrate and mark the 75th anniversary of this historic moment in time.

With social distancing measures still in place, the pack contains simple advice and suggestions to have a household garden party for this year's bank holiday VE Day.

The pack also contains themed recipe ideas, a World War II/VE Day quiz and wordsearch, some suggested e-reading materials from the council’s library service, craft ideas on how to make bunting and paperchains, 1940s-inspired games and songs to sing to keep the family entertained.

Wiltshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Whitehead, said: “The 8th of May 1945 is a significant moment in history and despite the current situation we wanted to help people mark it and celebrate it while still ensuring social distancing measures are maintained.

“The pack contains something for the whole family and we hope it provides a little distraction from what we’re all going through at the moment, which has seen communities up and down the county evoke that wartime spirit and determination.

“While we know that this year’s celebrations won’t be the same as any other we hope people will decorate their homes red, white and blue and enjoy the day together as a household.

“Of course the most important thing is that the day will provide an opportunity for us all to reflect and to thank and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who fought so hard to make that moment in 1945 possible – we owe them so much.”

If you wish to share your day with the Wiltshire Times and Gazette & Herald, please send your photos together with a contact name and phone number to john.baker@newsquest.co.uk

The special pack can be downloaded from the Wiltshire Council website at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus