DANCING under floodlights and community singing round bonfires were the order of the day when East Lancashire celebrated the end of the Second World War.

There were official celebrations in town centres, and family rejoicing in the side streets, alongside thanksgiving services in many local churches.

Flags and bunting went up in the streets, round shops and mills, with families cutting any old materials into triangles and the country enjoyed a two-day holiday.

One of the biggest celebrations of VE Day, May 8, 1945 in Blackburn, was a giant bonfire at the junction of Addison Street and Devonport Road, and hundreds of people enjoyed singing and dancing to the accompaniment of a piano accordion until the early hours.

Service visitors to Blackburn YMCA had free meals, cigarettes and sweets, while beds were also free to those who stayed the night.

An ENSA concert was staged at King George’s Hall, Blackburn, and the King’s speech was relayed to the audience.

In Burnley, the Prime Minister’s announcement of the German surrender resulted in works’ hooters, buzzers and whistles being sounded for five minutes.

The town hall clock was illuminated for the first time since September 1939 and the King’s speech was relayed to a VE dance arranged at the Mechanics Institute.

A service was also held at Turf Moor, and there was a victory parade in Clitheroe.

There was dancing under floodlights in Broadway, Accrington, and a civic procession to Cannon Street Baptist Church included the Home Guard and civil defence personnel.

In Nelson, one of the main features of the celebrations was the floodlighting of St Mary’s Parish Church tower, while the local branch of the British Legion walked in procession with a military band to the Cenotaph in Victoria Park, where there was also an evening dance.

To mark the end of hostilities, 3,000 old age pensioners in the town were also presented with 2s 6d.