The clock wound back to the Forties as towns and villages across Sussex took part in a national day of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

In Rottingdean people took a trip down memory lane with a jazz and fancy dress dance on Friday followed by a family fun day on the green on Saturday and a church service on Sunday.

The village was decked in bunting, balloons and Union Jacks as a group of war veterans known as The Real Dad's Army re-enacted scenes from the well-loved comedy.

The military significance of the event was marked by a display of wartime vehicles including fire engines, ambulances, army jeeps and cars.

Harold Williams, chairman of the Rottingdean Business Association, which sponsored the celebrations, made a speech and there was a minute's silence for the victims of the London bombings.

Mr Williams said: "It's important we remember that many people gave up their lives so others could live."

Elsewhere in Sussex, a special service was held on Muster Green in Haywards Heath. Poppy crosses were laid in the town's cemetery before a brass band started off a party.

In Lindfield there was a procession through the village and a joint service of remembrance followed by a picnic on Lindfield Common.

This weekend's events followed commemorations organised by the Sussex branch of the Royal British Legion last Saturday, when hundreds of veterans, wartime civilians and young people came together at Preston Park, Brighton.

A Sussex woman was one of seven female holders of the George Medal invited to the unveiling of a £1 million memorial in London's Whitehall on Saturday to honour the heroines of the Second World War.

Rose Taylor, from Burgess Hill, was awarded her medal for rescuing people from a bombed farmhouse at Wadhurst on the Kent and Sussex border. She attended the ceremony before moving on to a reception with the Queen at the offices of the Ministry of Defence.