Generations come together as Ribble Valley turns red, white and blue for VE Day 2020

And despite the lockdown, families and neighbours across the rural borough put on a proud display of red, white and blue to honour the sacrifices of Britain's greatest generation.

The day began with Clitheroe Town Mayor Coun. Stewart Fletcher and mayoress Mrs Kerry Fletcher leading the two minutes' silence at the Clitheroe Castle Gates. A number of people, including the standard bearer from the Royal British Legion, Clitheroe, attended the commemorations - all bearing in mind the social distancing rules and standing two metres apart.

Meanwhile, from bunting, banners to toasting war heroes, residents in Clitheroe, Waddington, Whalley, Chatburn and many Ribble Valley villages celebrated mostly from their gardens.

VE Day celebrations in the Shays Drive area began with a posh picnic lunch in Pagefield Crescent. Home-made sausage rolls, sandwiches and cakes were distributed to each household and everyone brought out tables and chairs, sitting at a safe distance. Organiser, Clare Slinger, had ordered the picnic boxes online and was very relieved when they arrived just in time on May 7th! Residents of Brett Close put up the bunting and began their VE Day party at 3pm with food and drink followed by guitar music from Barrie Lancaster and even dancing – at a distance. In Gills Croft, plates of food were laid out along a garden wall and resident Valerie Grooby inaugurated the proceedings. Guest of honour was Kay Pinfold, at 101 the oldest resident in the road, who joined in from her doorstep. Kay recalled that on VE Day 1945 she was a teacher in Chester. The school was closed for the day so she and a friend cycled the eight miles to Parkgate for a celebratory swim in the open air pool.