PETERSFIELD armed forces veterans and cadets, councillors and families attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Petersfield War Memorial in the High Street to mark Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day).

To mark the 77th anniversary of VJ Day, Petersfield Royal British Legion members, town councillors and representatives of cadet organisations attended a short service of remembrance at the memorial.

British Legion spokesman David Lloyd said: “VJ Day is an annual service to mark the beginning of the end of the Second World War.

“The service also reinforces Petersfield Town Council’s Armed Forces Covenant promise to acknowledge and support military anniversaries.”

After the remembrance service at 10.50am on Monday, a two-minute silence was held.

Wreaths were then laid at the war memorial that lists more than 150 local men and women who died in wars.

VJ Day on August 15, 1945, saw the surrender of Japan announced across Britain.

It ended Second World War; the formal surrender by the Japanese was accepted by the Allies on September 2nd, 1945.

It followed the earlier surrender of Germany on May 8 ending the conflict in Europe (VE Day).