A SERIES of events are being planned to mark the 60th anniversaries of the allied victory in Europe and victory over Japan.

The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York, will launch its Victory Festival on the weekend of May 7 and 8.

The first event in the programme is a VE hangar dance, taking place on May 7. Tickets have already sold out.

On May 8, the museum will officially open its 1945 Timeline Exhibition, which will run throughout the season.

There will be a flypast by a vintage Tiger Moth, and a tribute from the US Air Force has been pencilled in.

Other Victory Festival events will include the Wargaming and Military Vehicle Show on the weekend of May 14 and 15, the Women's Air Services Memorial Day on June 12, VJ Day on August 14, Combined Services Memorial Day on September 4 and Battle of Britain Day on September 18.

Museum director Ian Reed said: "Many of our visitors leave the museum with a deep sense of gratitude at the contribution and sacrifices made by so many servicemen and women in securing our liberty.

"We are delighted to be launching this Victory Festival season and are confident that many people will gather in honour of all those who gave so much."

The museum is offering Second World War veterans free entry to all the festival events.

Published: 12/04/2005