Veterans relived memories of the war years as VE Day commemorations took place across Sussex at the weekend.

Some recreated the street parties and celebrations that took place on May 8, 1945, when it was announced on the radio the Second World War was over.

At Newhaven Fort, bunting was strung up and flags flown at a street party organised with the help of Newhaven Town Council.

Members of the Royal British Legion and the former Women's Land Army were invited and there was live music and a fly-past by a Sea King helicopter.

A commemoration concert took place in Eastbourne yesterday while the Mayor and Mayoress of Lewes, Councillors Rod and Yvonne Crocker, attended a wreath-laying service at the war memorial in Lewes High Street.

At Deanland retirement home in Deanland Wood Park, Golden Cross, near Hailsham, residents held a party to celebrate the end of a war most of them remembered.

A Coventry to Brighton vintage motorcycle race also took place on Sunday, with war veterans reliving life 60 years ago with transport to match.

At East Hoathly, near Uckfield, a lottery-funded dance and fireworks display were held on Saturday night.

A full brass band played Glenn Miller classics as couples danced and an air-raid siren was let off before the fireworks.

Others remembered the war in their own way.

Steve Stevens, 85, of Worthing, returned to the Abruzzo region of Italy, the scene of his wartime exploits, as an honoured guest.

The last time Mr Stevens was there he was living in a tiny white tent on a hillside and flying regular missions.

A lieutenant in the 19th Squadron of the South African Air Force he was serving as part of the multi-national Balkan Air Force which flew across southern and eastern Europe providing aerial support for troops and anti-Nazi partisans on the ground.

He presented the Italian town's mayor with a framed photo of his plane in action.

John Tidyman, 77, lived in Brighton with his mother during the war and was waiting to be drafted after signing up when VE day came.

Aged 17 in 1945, most of his friends were away fighting and he was anxious to do his bit for the war effort. In the end he was sent as a recruit to Palestine in 1945, just months after victory was declared in Europe. He said: "I felt a bit left out that lots of my friends were fighting and I wasn't so I volunteered but they still hadn't called when VE day came.

"We thought it would take a long time to sort things out in Japan but then they dropped the atom bomb and that was it.

"I was in Brighton on VE day and there were people dancing, singing, drinking and waving flags in the streets and bunting everywhere."

Mr Tidyman, who attended Varndean Grammar between 1939 and 1944, now lives in Hull after meeting and marrying a nurse, Hazel, while convalescing from an illness.

He asks anyone who remembers him to get in touch on 01482 351806 or write to him at 68 The Roundway, Anlaby Park, Hull, HU4 6XR.

The major anniversary celebrations this year will take place on July 10 to mark both Victory in Europe (VE) Day on May 8 and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day on August 15.