TWO communities are to commemorate the time leading up to the end of the Second World War with a series of events.

Ferryhill and Sedgefield town councils have received £20,000 each from Home Front Recall, a Heritage Fund and the National Lottery initiative, to stage the celebrations.

The programme is aimed at evoking the mood of the Second World War and particular emphasis will be placed on the contribution that local people made to the war effort.

Chairman of Ferryhill 2000 committee, the Reverend Keith Lumsdon, said: "We intend to offer the local community a series of events that will appeal across the generations and will capture the imagination of local people."

The events to be held in Sedgefield, include a fancy dress fun day with treasure hunt for children on May 30.

On Saturday, June 4, an exhibition of artefacts and war memorabilia will be held at Ceddesfeld Hall between 10am and 2pm. At 7pm there will be a VE ball in the marquee in the hall's grounds. Tickets are priced £12.50 and are available from council offices.

On Sunday, June 5, there will be a parade from the hall car park at 1.30pm and at 2pm a service of thanksgiving at St Edmund's Church. At 2.30pm the war memorial on the village green will be rededicated and tea will be served in the Ceddesfeld Hall at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.

Other events in June include the annual Proms and the veteran car rally.

In Ferryhill, on Sunday, June 18, there will be a concert of songs from the 1930s and 1940s, at 7.15pm, at Mainsforth Community Centre, Ferryhill Station.

In July, schoolchildren will enact a specially written Second World War drama.

Events continue in September with a mock battle and in November with an exhibition of memorabilia

Ferryhill Town Council is asking people to share their recollections of the war.

Contact Ann Le Druillenec, projects assistant at the town hall, on (01740) 652157.