Celebrations were held at the weekend to mark today's 60th anniversary of VJ Day. War veterans were out in force in the North-East yesterday as a mark of respect to their comrades who failed to return from the Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. Gavin Havery reports.

VETERANS of the Far East campaign yesterday remembered their comrades who died as prisoners of war.

Thousands took to the streets in Sunderland, while similar tributes took place all over the country ahead of today's VJ Day anniversary.

The parade went from the rear of the civic centre to the city's war memorial in Mowbray Park.

Organisers said it was the biggest in the country and was led by the Normandy Band of the Queen's Division from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, the bugler of the Durham Army Cadet Force Borneo Band and Pipes and Drums of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from Newton Aycliffe, near Darlington.

Len Gibson, 85, of West Herrington, near Sunderland, was captured by the Japanese when the British were forced to surrender in Singapore.

He was a prisoner-of-war for three years and helped to build the railway that runs on the bridge over the River Kwai. The captives used to keep their spirits up by organising concert parties.

He said: "Reg Dixon struck up the introduction on his squeeze box and six of us emerged as a chorus line dressed as women.

"This of course was a complete surprise for the whole camp and a great roar went up from the audience, which resounded around the jungle.

"The sick men in the hospital half a mile away wanted to know what had happened, as did the Japanese and their officer, Colonel Hatari. They all wanted to see the show and we had to arrange to put on a repeat performance a few nights later."

Mr Gibson said he got involved in the performance to take his mind off the fact he was a prisoner of war.

He lived on nothing but rice for three years and said brutal beatings from the Japanese were common.

Mr Gibson said: "It is so important that we do not forget all who fought 60 years ago, especially those who did not return from whatever theatre of war they were in.

"We who were in the Far East wish to remember all of our comrades. We survivors of the Death Railway salute them all."

Seaside town stages anniversary tribute

WAR veterans were among thousands of people who flocked to a North-East town over the weekend to mark the anniversary.

The event was one of the biggest in the history of Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool.

Throughout the weekend, visitors were treated to mock battles, military displays with army tanks, war memorabilia stalls and a children's fun fair.

It was organised by the Elmtree Park Community Association, with help from the Northern WW2 Association, Normandy 44 and the Heugh Gun Battery Trust, with funding of £10,000 from the Home Front Recall regime.

On Saturday, two Northern WW2 Association members renewed their wedding vows in 1940s regalia. Yesterday, the association hosted a memorial service and a procession of veterans.

To round off the weekend, a nostalgia evening was held last night at Seaton Carew Social Club.

Bands including the Legendary Leytons, the Curvacious Concerts Unlimited, the Magnificent Moonlight Serenaders and The Fabulous Fenner Sisters rekindled memories from the war era.

Terri Lawson, secretary of the Elmtree Park Community Association, said: "We have worked very hard to put together a full programme of events.

"One of the main reasons for the celebrations was to show the children of today what happened 60 years ago, joined with entertainment for all the family."