A CEREMONY to commemorate the 60th anniversary of VJ Day will take place in Richmond on Monday.

Veterans and members of the public are invited to attend the service at the Friary Gardens War Memorial at noon.

Veterans of the Far East campaign have been invited to say a few words about their experiences.

The service will be taken by Canon Richard Cooper and has been organised by the Richmond branch of the Royal British Legion.

So far, the branch has collected just under £1,000 at victory party events.

These include £415 at Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society's production of Oh, What a Lovely War, £251 at a Richmond Town Council raffle at the castle on July 2, £194 in the market hall on July 10, £36 at a Richmond Conservative Club badge sale, £35 from a private donation, £25 from villagers in Brompton-on-Swale, £24 from a Richmond market stall holders' badge sale and £16 from a Royal British Legion badge sale.

Poppy Appeal organiser, David Johnson thanked everyone who had helped organise events.

He said: "All the money has gone to the Poppy Appeal, where it will be used on those in need of help."

The Richmond branch of the Royal British Legion collected £7,867.38 in the 2004/05 financial year.

This puts the group 15th out of 96 branches in North Yorkshire.