SOMERSET veterans of VE Day (Victory in Europe) are beingn invited to join the 70th anniversay celebrations.

A series of nationalo commemorative events are being held in London and community events and celebrations are taking place around the country on the weekend of May 8 to 10.

The Royal British Legion says the Second World War generation will be at the heart of all the activities.

As part of this, the legion is calling out to veterans of VE Day who would like to take part in the national commemorations in London.

To ensure representation across all those who played an active role during the Second World War, the invitation is for those who served in the military, the Home Guard or in any one of the reserved occupations, including medics, police and the Bevan Boys.

All veterans will be allowed to be accompanied by a nominated carer.

An on-line registration site is now live and the closing date for all applications is midnight on Friday, April 10.

Telephone enquiries regarding registration can be made via 0808-8028080.

Places will be available for a series of commemorative events over the weekend.

*On Friday, May 8: a Service of Remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph.

*On Sunday, May 10, there will a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, followed by a march from the Abbey to Horse Guards Parade and into St James’s Park, where the Legion will host a lunch reception.

Funding for travel will be made available for successfully accredited veterans and their carer to come to London.

Further details will be provided to veterans as soon as their application has been confirmed.

Those preferring to attend something closer to home or – due to the limited number of spaces – are unsuccessful in their application for the national commemorative events will be welcomed at celebrations across the country as VIPs.

Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson CB CVO, National President of The Royal British Legion, said: “The commemoration of this conflict, still in living memory, gives us the opportunity to salute the Second World War generation.

"We hope that all communities will use the VE Day 70 commemorations to thank them and celebrate the role they played in our nation’s history.”