FOR Joe Swinbank and many like him VE Day was a momentous occasion but far from the end of the Second World War.

He was a young man serving with the Army and recalls that on May 8, 1945, as millions rejoiced at Germany’s surrender, he was about to be deployed to Belgium but was instead diverted to Eygpt then Palestine.

Today (Friday) the 99-year-old, whose wartime duties included driving generals to the frontline, was the guest of honour at Barnard Castle’s VE Day 70th anniversary celebrations.

Mr Swinbank, who lives at Abbeyfield House, was delighted the town, where he ran a gentleman’s outfitters for many years, marked the occasion and paid tribute to those who fell during the war.

There were exhibitions at St Mary’s Parish Hall, including a replica operations room and display of wartime photographs and memories from local people.

Lifelong friends Jack Addison and Frank Gargett, from farming families in Cotherstone and Lartington, joined the Home Guard at its Barnard Castle headquarters, which is now a toyshop, and there stories included a training manoeuvre when they had to take Bowes Post Office.

There were also reports and pictures of the VE Day parties held in Barnard Castle, Romaldkirk and Middleton-in-Teesdale, tanks rolling through the town centre and fireworks and beacons throughout Teesdale.

At 3pm there was a two-minute silence and there will be an evening tribute concert by the Barnard Castle and Friends Band.

Allan Jones and Iris Hillery organised the event, which raised money for the Royal British Legion’s local Poppy Appeal.

Mrs Hillery said: “We thought we should do something for the VE Day anniversary and it grew and grew.

“We’ve been delighted how many people visited, found it interesting and wanted to commemorate the occasion.”

Mr Jones added: “It is important that people sacrificed such a lot during those six years of war in order that we all have the democracy we have now.

“So many paid the ultimate sacrifice so even those of who cannot remember or weren’t alive can pay tribute to that.”

The town’s efforts to commemorate the anniversary led to it being chosen to represent County Durham in a chain of beacons being lit across the UK, at the going down of the sun tonight. (Friday, May 8)

The beacon, in the grounds of St Mary’s Church, will be lit by Chairman of Durham County Council John Robinson.