WARTIME showgirl Brenda Logie was on stage when news of Britain's defeat of the Nazis brought a dramatic twist to her concert.

Yesterday the pensioner from Southampton, now in her 80s, was again the centre of attention when she helped launch a historical exhibition exploring the New Forest's pivotal role in the war effort.

The New Forest Remembers: Untold Stories of World War II exhibition' hosted at the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst features archaeological surveys, photographs, letters and diaries bringing to life the stories of the people living in the area at the time.

It is run by the New Forest National Park Authority and funded by the New Forest Heritage Lottery und and ExxonMobil at Fawley Refinery.

Reflecting on the glorious May 1945 victory Mrs Logie, from Bitterne Road, who toured secret military camps in the area to sing for troops involved in assembling crafts for the D Day Landings said: “It was absolutely barmy, first everyone was dumbstruck them some were jumping up and down and others crying. Then we started singing celebration songs and if they had their way they would have had my pianist up until midnight.”

Guests at the launch included New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, New Forest National Park Authority chairman Julain Johnson and Dambusters 617 Squadron pilot Arthur Poore DFC who was among pilots making unscheduled stop in Beaulieu Airfield in thick fog after a bombing raid to Stuttgart.

Mrs Logie added: “It's interesting for anyone who wants to know more about what happened in the war.”

The exhibition runs until Sunday, April 28, and features an online portal for people to add their memories. See newforestnpa.gov.uk/wwii