AN ARMISTICE Day commemoration of the two world wars will take place in Durham City this week.

The event, organised by St Cuthbert's Hospice, will be held in Elvet Methodist Church in the city tomorrow.

Billed as A Remembrance In Words And Music, the event will be attended by Shirley Annand, widow of the late Captain Richard Annand, who won the first VC of the Second World War while serving with the Second Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.

Mrs Annand will speak of her own wartime experiences and there will be several other first-hand accounts of the conflict, including a letter written by an eight-year-old girl to her father, recounting her experiences on VE Day.

The letter will be read by nine-year-old Camille Hilditch, daughter of one of the musicians taking part.

There will also be renditions of some of the best-loved songs associated with the two wars - including It's A Long Way To Tipperary, The White Cliffs Of Dover and Land Of Hope And Glory, with the audience invited to join in.

A spokesman for the organisers said: "At a time when many members of today's forces are in a foreign land, facing considerable peril, we should honour their courage and the courage of their comrades in years past - let's enjoy this opportunity to celebrate the end of both world wars and let's hope for a day when there will be an end to all wars."

Anyone who wants to wear uniform, period dress or just a little red, white and blue is welcome to do so.

Tickets are £6, including interval refreshments, and are available from the hospice. For details, call 0191-386 1170.