FORMER servicemen will join civic and church figures from across the region tomorrow to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

They will gather at Durham Cathedral for an evensong service, and the cathedral's dean and chapter is inviting anyone who helped the war effort, or who has memories of a loved one who served in the Forces or on the Home Front, to attend the service.

It is the main regional event on the national day of thanksgiving and commemoration, chosen because it falls between the 60th anniversaries of the end of the war in Europe, VE Day, in May, and in the Far East, VJ Day, in August.

The lessons will be read by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sir Paul Nicholson, and the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove.

Prayers will be read by Len Gibson, of the Far East Prisoners of War Association, who will be joined by a serving officer from the Tyne Tees Regiment and a local schoolboy. The cathedral choir will sing Hubert Parry's prayer There is a Country and John Ireland's anthem Greater Love Hath No Man.

Former Dean, the Very Reverend Dr John Arnold, now Dean Emeritus, has been invited to return to the cathedral to preach at the service.

Part of his ministry while serving in the Church was the fostering of reconciliation throughout post-war Europe, which led to links between the Diocese of Durham and the Church of North Elbia, in Germany.

Members of the congregation at tomorrow's service are invited to light a candle, or leave a message on prayer cards in front of the RAF Window, which is also the cathedral's War Memorial.

Access to the cathedral has been eased, with the county council extending running of the Cathedral bus to city car parks after the service, until 6.10pm, while Durham University is offering free parking on Palace Green, outside the cathedral, to holders of blue and white local authority disabled parking passes. The service will start at 3.30pm.

Other events include:

CATTERICK VILLAGE: Tomorrow, at 6pm. VE Day service at Low Green War Memorial.

DARLINGTON: Tomorrow, at 10.30am. Service at St Cuthbert's Church, in the town centre. Durham Light Infantry Association will present its standard.

DUNSTON: Tomorrow, at 9.40am. Commemoration service marking VE and VJ Day at St Nicholas Church, in Ellison Road.

FERRYHILL: Today, at 6pm. Second World War drama and music evening at Broom Cottages Primary School, Broom Road.

HENDON: Today, at 11am. Carnival to mark the end of the Second World War. Civic heads will be present for the event which will be staged around the East Community Association in Moor Terrace.

LEYBURN: Tomorrow, at noon. VE Day service at War Memorial.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Tomorrow, at 11am. Parade from the South African monument, Albert Park to cenotaph, in Linthorpe Road, for 11.05am service, followed by refreshments and entertainment at the Royal British Legion Club, Park Road North.

QUARRINGTON HILL: Today, from 10.30am to 5pm. Celebration at Community Association, in the community centre. Includes a free buffet and displays of military war vehicles, two aircraft cockpits to explore and a military re-enactment. Children under 11 will be presented with a VE Day medal. A wartime dance with the Royal British Legion in the evening has sold out.

Redcar: Today, at 10am. High Street celebrations, service displays, drills, stalls, Second World War songs.

REDCAR: Tomorrow, at 11am. Parade from Redcar Bowl and Service of Remembrance, then 11.15am at Coatham Road cenotaph to commemorate VE and VJ Day. The parade will include veterans, vintage vehicles from the North-East Military Vehicle Trust, the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Air Training Corps, Scouts, RNLI members, members of the Youth Fire Section, Cleveland Fire Service and a contingent from the US Navy.

TOW LAW: Tomorrow, 1pm to 6pm. 1940s theme day with displays, costumes and entertainment, St Philip and St James' Church. Admission 50p, to go towards church funds.

WEST RAINTON: Today, from 10am to 2pm. Wartime food-tasting session in the Jubilee Hall, in North Street. Also features exhibition of wartime items and kitchen utensils, and photographs of West Rainton and Leamside during the hostilities.