A second VE commemoration will be funded by a local authority after councillors said they were paying for the event with their own cash.

Redcar and Cleveland Council is planning a big day of commemorations for the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

A event in Redcar on Friday, May 8 will include street entertainment, music, displays, a community picnic and the unveiling of two pieces of new public art.

And an Eston event at Flatts Lane will also include military vehicles, music and children’s entertainment.

But on Wednesday, members of the council’s Resources Committee heard that while the council was paying for Redcar’s event, local councillors had been left footing the bill for the Eston one.

“There’s actually more than one event to commemorate VE Day,” said Cllr Sue Jeffrey, Labour councillor for South Bank.

“We’re certainly having one in Eston which Cllr Chris Gallacher is organising.

“Sadly however, despite our pleas to John Sampson and others, we don’t appear to be able to get any grant for this event despite the fact the one in Redcar is being funded to the tune of £20,000.”

Turning to Cllr Glyn Nightingale, cabinet member for resources, she added: “I wonder if Cllr Nightingale whether or not you could put that right for us please because obviously this is an important event and the people of Greater Eston I’m sure will be very enthusiastic about coming along.”

Cllr Chris Gallacher, ex-serviceman and UKIP councillor for Normanby, explained that he had been left paying for the event he had organised for Eston.

“It’s a good coming together for the TS6 area,” he said.

“All the councillors have supported this event along with the Salvation Army, St John’s Church, lots of local activities and even a low-cost bus to collect people from various wards for 20p a head.

“It’s disappointing that we’re asked to throw in our councillor’s allowance and yet Redcar aren’t asked for their councillor’s allowance.

“It’s a national event, we should be underpinned – we’re only talking about £3,000 for probably 30 per cent of the population of the borough to participate.”

Committee chairman, Cllr Chris Massey, said: “The sum that’s being asked for by Cllr Gallacher is a very modest sum when compared to Redcar – less than a sixth of what Redcar are getting.

“I think Redcar are getting £25,000 – we’re struggling to get £3,000.”

In Redcar, commemoration events will start at 10.30am with a parade of the Royal British Legion, air, army and sea cadets and veteran servicemen from Newcomen Terrace to the Memorial Garden on Coatham Road.

In Eston, events take place from 11am–3.30pm at the Woodland Centre, Flatts Lane including military vehicles, music and children’s entertainment.