HAMPSHIRE will remember the end of the Second World War in Europe with a series of events over the next few days.

Commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day will begin with a string of events and two-minute silences across the county today.

Eastleigh’s Leigh Road Recreation Ground will host a ceremony where the Royal British Legion flag will be raised at 10am today, while the Gosport Discovery Centre is offering people a chance to learn more about the era.

The county will fall silent at 3pm today as people across Hampshire and the rest of the country observe a two-minute silence.

Then, at 9.32pm, more than 200 beacons will be lit across the country to mark the anniversary.

They will include beacons in Southamp-ton’s Guildhall Square and at the Cricket Field in Netley Abbey.

Tomorrow the commemorations will continue, and church bells will ring out across Hampshire at 11am.

Guildhall Square in Southampton will then host a 70th anniversary party harking back to the street parties that were organised to mark the end of the conflict.

Some of Hampshire’s Second World War veterans and Southampton residents who lived in the city during the Blitz will attend the event.

Visitors are invited to wear 1940s-style dress to the party, which will feature music from some of the era’s most popular acts such as Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington from Paul McKenna’s Swingworld.

Winchester’s Guildhall will show live coverage of some of the national commemorations from 6.30pm onwards, while on Sunday the city’s cathedral will host a special Eucharist service.