AN RAF base welcomed 490 Yorkshire VIPs as part of its celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of VJ Day.

Members of the Yorkshire Society and the North Yorkshire Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Association (SSAFA) spent a day at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Both groups are also celebrating anniversaries of their own - the 25th for the Yorkshire Society and the 120th for the SSAFA.

SSAFA North Yorkshire chairman David Summers said: "Our 70 volunteers continue the society's mission to provide support for ex-servicemen and their dependants in North Yorkshire.

"Last year, we helped locate financial and other assistance for more than 500 veterans."

During the tour, the visitors were shown around the base's air traffic control centre, the aircraft maintenance hangars and the flight operations room. Lunch was taken at the Maple Leaf Club, which is so named in honour of Canadian airmen who lost their lives on missions from Linton between 1934 and 1945.

Yorkshire Society vice-chairman Geoff Walsh said: "RAF Linton is a member of our society and we were all impressed not only by the professionalism on show at the base, but the commitment and involvement it has with all communities in our county."