Southampton, Eastleigh and Totton mark 80 years of VE Day

Stunning weather over the weekend made sure that crowds turned out in force for the festivities in Southampton, Eastleigh and Totton.

In Southampton, Carlton Place exploded with activity.

The street was packed with people on Sunday afternoon and even featured a full-scale replica Spitfire, military vehicles, stalls and performances.

Click through our interactive gallery above to see all our pictures.

Charlalas with the model Spitfire (Image: Cristiano Magaglio) READ MORE: Southampton 1945: Town's VE Day celebrations in pictures

Lord Mayor of Southampton, Cllr David Shields, was in attendance, and he said: "What a great place for people to come together and celebrate. The organisers have done a brilliant job.

"Southampton played a massive role not just as an embarkation point for troops on D-Day, but we also took a lot of the bombs in the Blitz.

"Southampton is made of very resilient stuff, and this is a celebration of that, as much as anything else."

Lord Mayor Dave Shields (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

William Simons, who attended with his wife Patricia, recalls trying ice cream for the first time on VE Day when he was just seven years old.

He said: "Everyone knows the stories, all the mothers had been saving their sugar and butter to make cakes and ice cream, bunting came out everywhere, and people went to great lengths to paint on their roofs welcome home in big letters."

He had another ice cream at the street party on Sunday for old times sake.

Patricia and William (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Penny Russell and Regan dressed up especially for the day. They said: "We are big enthusiasts, so we are making the most of it."

The Carlton Place celebration was organised by Carlton Place and Bedford Place Traders, Southampton City Council, Go! Southampton and Sangmatron Ltd.

On Saturday, around six thousand people took to Eastleigh's VE Day celebration on Leigh Road recreation ground, which included a variety of shows, fairground rides, memorabilia and the debut of a double-decker bus diner.

Organisers Sarah Knight and Steph Harwood of Dream Empire Events, hailed the event a success and are already planning next year's.

Eastleigh VE Day celebrations (Image: Cristiano Magaglio) READ MORE: Southampton holds beacon lighting event for VE Day 80

Peter Norris manned a machine gun at the event with his family.

He said: "We have been enjoying it. Everyone seems happy and there is a good atmosphere, we came down because it's VE Day and we wanted to celebrate it with the community."

Alex Hunt also attended with his family. He said: "With everyone dressed up and all the historic cars, it has a real Goodwood Revival feel to it.

"Of all the days to pick, there are no clouds in the sky, it's brilliant."

Peter Norris and his family (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Totton & Eling also marked the poignant anniversary with a memorial service, a Performance in the Park, a Tea Dance, the Lights of Peace Parade, Ukulele performances in the park, and a chance for people to sing along to classic songs from the WWII era.

Susan Cutler, Totton & Eling Town Clerk, said: "It has been incredibly moving to see our community come together to honour such an important milestone.

"Each event reflected the values of remembrance, gratitude, and unity that define Totton & Eling."