The early May bank holiday was moved to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day this year.

What is VE Day?

VE Day - or Victory in Europe Day - is marked on May 8 and commemorates the Allies accepting the surrender of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

The long anticipated news resulted in spontaneous celebrations breaking out across the nation.

A national holiday was declared and people from all walks of life came together to mark the moment.

The May Day bank holiday is traditionally held on a Monday but was changed to the Friday to form part of a three-day weekend of commemorative events which have all now unfortunately been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Events that had been planned included more than 20,000 pubs encouraging drinkers to toast the heroes of the war while churches were due to take part in a Ringing Out For Peace.

What can we do instead?

A social media campaign has called for residents across the country to decorate their homes in red, white and blue to mark VE Day with stay at home 'street parties'.

The English Heritage website also has templates for bunting you can print out and stick in your windows or posters for your little ones to colour in.

Families in the same household are also being called on to have picnics or buffets to mark the occasion.

These can either be held in their garden or indoors.

Menu options:

Cauliflower cheese with bacon – make the most of the rationed cheese with this British classic

Spam hash – A can of spam can last 5 meals so this party dish will certainly serve everyone

Veggie options

Homity Pie – a rich, wholemeal pie with a potato, onion and cheese filling said to be made by Land Girls during the Second World War

Vegetable turnovers – a bit like the Homity Pie only in pasty form

Desserts

Eggless fruit cake – eggs were rationed but don’t worry, there was still delicious cake to have

Pear crumble

What have you got planned for VE Day? Let us know in the comments below or by clicking the button below