A HOST of special events are being planned in the borough to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

A committee of service, ex-service, pre-service and voluntary organisations have joined together to plan the End of World War commemorations.

The Queen will officially launch the VE and VJ commemorations on Sunday, July 10, with events taking place across the nation.

The boroughs efforts start on July 10 with a Military Concert at Radcliffe Civic Hall starting at 7.30pm. The Fusilier Association Band and Drums will perform and tickets, priced at £5, are available from Arthur Terrell on 0161 764 2733.

The next event will be particularly for Senior Citizens a Wartime ENSA show at Ramsbottom Civic Hall between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday, July 13. The show features a concert party by the Astral Players, a band and solo singer and dancing. Tickets are 50p for anyone aged over 60 and £1 for everyone else. They can be booked in advance by ringing 0161 797 4516 or 0161 764 5950.

The same evening, the LFA's Band and Drums will Beat Retreat in the Castle Armoury TA Centre in Bury from 8pm to 8.45pm. A collection will be taken in aid of the Fusilier Museum Appeal.

On Friday, July 15, a Victory Celebration Dance will be held in Radcliffe Civic Hall where dancing will be to the Tommy Lowe Dance Orchestra. Dressing up in period war clothing will be an essential part of the evening and a potato pie supper is included in the £7.50 admission price. The dance will start at 7.30pm until midnight. Telephone 0161 797 4516 or 0161 764 5950 for tickets.

The official commemoration activities will come to an end on Sunday, July 17, when a Civic Parade and Church Service will take place in Bury Town Centre. The parade will form outside Bury Town Hall at 11.15am and march off at 11.30am, along Knowsley Street, Haymarket Street and Market Street to Bury Parish Church for a service conducted by the Rector of Bury, Dr John Findon.

After the service, there will be a march past where the Mayor of Bury and the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester will take the salute. The mayor will lay a single wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of the borough.

The parade will form four sections: service (the local TA Units and youngsters with the Army, Sea and Air cadets), Pre-service, Ex-service, and local military and civilian organisations, such as the Scouts, the emergency services, land girls, Bevan Boys and munitions workers.

Any members of organisations wishing to take part in the parade should write to Lt Colonel (Rtd) Davidson at Wellington Barracks, Bolton Road, Bury, BL8 2PL.

Proceeds from all the ticket events will be donated to local charities.