PEOPLE came out of their homes in their thousands.

There was dancing in the streets long into the night, bunting and banners, fireworks and laughter – after six long years of war.

Families who had endured loss and austerity, living to the motto make do and mend, celebrated with unbridled joy, as church bells rang out to announce the day peace reigned over the land at last.

There were street parties galore, as small communities joined forces to share the good news; tables and odd seats were dragged out of their houses and cakes and jelly were mysteriously conjured up despite rationing, When Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allies in May, 1945, Winston Churchill made a radio broadcast to the British people: “This is your victory,” as he thanked the families who had all pulled together in a long and arduous war effort.

May 8 was declared a public holiday and has become known as Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day.

This year, May 8 will mark the 70th anniversary of the day that marked the end of the war in Europe.

The Royal British Legion is calling on people of the nation to hold a weekend of celebrations from May 8-10, to salute an extraordinary generation who played such an important part in our history.

And the Telegraph wants to hear from you, too.

Are you organising an event to mark this milestone in British history, or have you any recollections or photographs of your own VE celebrations in East Lancashire?