ORGANISERS of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War said the commemorations would continue this weekend despite the terrorist bombings.

Today, the Queen will unveil a monument in London to the women of the Second World War, including the thousands of "Aycliffe Angels" munitions staff who worked in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, making bombs and bullets.

Members of the public have been urged to join in the tributes to civilian and military war veterans over the coming days, and Don Touhig, Minister for Veterans, called on Londoners to take inspiration from those that took part in the conflict.

Mr Touhig, speaking at the Living Museum in St James' Park, London, said: "This week we remember the sacrifices that previous generations made so that we can remain a free people. As the tragedy unfolds in London, we look to them for inspiration -they have faced much worse.

''It is important to keep up the spirit they showed us in the dark days between 1939 and 1945."

The week-long series of events centred on the museum culminates in two days of entertainment and remembrance.

Tomorrow, the Queen will attend a number of events, including a Westminster Abbey Service, a veterans' lunch at Buckingham Palace, a commemoration show with stars and a parade of standards in The Mall with flypast.