A NEW film launch and a series of virtual events have been planned by the Fusiliers Museum in Bury to celebrate the 75th anniversary.

Veterans and campaigners have been restricted in how they can commemorate the official end of the Second World War in 2020, under social distancing.

But Fusilier Museum bosses have compiled a full programme for tomorrow, in partnership with Bury Council, which will be broadcast via their Facebook page.

This will be capped off by the premiere of The Forgotten Army, Lancashire Fusiliers in Burma, in an external screening outside the venue.

A spokesman said: "The museum, in partnership with Bury Council still plan to mark the momentous occasion with special performances from the official band of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and 1940s singers, Sarah Dennis, the Veterans Sweetheart, and The Northern Sopranos.

"There will also be poetry readings from local army cadets and the Mayor of Bury Cllr Tim Pickstone as well as a viewing of the museum’s new film – The Forgotten Army which will be projected onto the side of the building.

"The museum will then turn red and blue in honour of all the Lancashire Fusiliers who fought so bravely in Burma before finally ending with a short, military ceremony with the lowering of regimental standards and the Last Post."

The Fusiliers band will kick off the proceedings at 5pm, with the poetry scheduled for 6pm, a return by the band around 7pm and the film showing at 8.30pm, before the final ceremony from 9pm.