SILENCE fell on Petersfield town centre on Tuesday as a major landmark in world history was commemorated.

A small service took place at the war memorial on the High Street to mark the 78th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day).

The event on August 15, 1945, was the day that Japanese surrender was announced in the UK. The declarationstarted the end of World War Two with the formal surrender being signed on September 2.

The annual event included a parade with a two-minute silence following a Service of Remembrance by Rev William Hughes.

Former Mayor, Councillor Lesley Farrow, the PTC Mayor’s Cadet and Petersfield Royal British Legion President, David Lodrick, all laid wreaths, with the latter also reciting the Kohima address.

Members of Petersfield Town Council, RBC and 1927 Sqn ATC attended along with Combined Cadet Force membersfrom Churcher’s College and The Petersfield School.