EVENTS marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day are set to be held in the local area.

In Crediton, there will be a flag-raising ceremony at the war memorial at 9.30am on Thursday, May 8.

Later the same day, a cream tea will be enjoyed at the Boniface Centre from 12.30pm to 2pm. There will be live jazz, historical artefacts and a chance to see Crediton Museum's new film about the town in World War Two. This event is sold out.

Then, from 3pm to 5pm, you can drop in to Crediton Library to share your or your family members’ memories of VE Day and/or the Second World War.

On Friday, May 9, there will be a family disco at Crediton United FC’s clubhouse. Tickets cost £5 on the door.

Then, on Saturday, May 10, a “very vintage picnic” will be held in Newcombes Meadow from 11am to 3pm. Attendees should bring their own picnic blankets.

Crediton Town Band, morris dancers, CODS and the “Swing Three” jazz trio will be performing in the bandstand. There will also be falconry, a barrel organ, vintage engines, a balloon modeller, a bar and food and craft stalls, alongside free activities for children from the youth club, scouts, army cadets and Lions club.

In Sandford, a 45-minute concert by Crediton Town Band, playing a selection of wartime favourites, will take place at Sandford Parish Church on Thursday, May 8 from 7.30pm.

Then, on Saturday, May 10, there will be a 1940s-themed cream tea for parishioners at Sandford Parish Hall from 3pm.

There will be prizes for the best wartime outfits. Tea, coffee and squash will be provided along with fresh scones, clotted cream and jam.

Bakers are also invited to take home baked cakes with them to share. Photos and mementos are welcome for a display that will be co-ordinated on the day.

In Coldridge, there will be a commemoration and beacon-lighting from 7.30pm to 10pm at the village hall on Thursday, May 8. There will be a pasty supper and bar and the Coldridge Sunshine Singers will perform at the event. The beacon will be lit at around 9.30pm.

In Poughill, there will be a VE Day street party at the village hall on Monday, May 5 from 12pm. Participants should bring and share 1940s party food. There will also be a memorabilia display with photos.

In Morchard Bishop, the proclamation will be read at the war memorial cross at 8am on Thursday, May 8. There will be an evening event the same day from 6.45pm in the fields of the London Inn. The church bells will be ringing and there will be a barbecue. Attendees should bring a chair or blanket to sit on if required. At 9.25pm, the VE Day 80 tribute will be read, and then at 9.30pm the beacon will be lit at St Mary’s Church tower.

In Lapford, the Union Flag will be hoisted at the church tower at 9am on Thursday, May 8 with a reading of the proclamation on the church green. Then, at 7pm, the church bells will ring. From 7.45pm, the Mid Devon Good Afternoon Choir will be singing in the parish church, followed by the Lapford Handbell Ringers at 8.15pm. The beacon will be lit on the church green at 9.30pm.

In Chawleigh, there will be a coffee morning in Chawleigh Parish Church in aid of the Royal British Legion at 10.30am on Thursday, May 8. Church bells will be rung in the evening. At the Earl of Portsmouth pub, there will be a display of World War Two memorabilia from 4pm, British food served from 5pm to 8pm, morris Dancing by Exeter Morris at 7.30pm, then from 8.30pm live old-time music by Glenis and Keith. Then, at 9.15pm, special VE Day 80th anniversary prayers will be led by Elaine Cook, with a reading by David Richardson. At 9.30pm, a “lamp of peace” will be lit by D. Harding, followed by the VE Day 80 tribute presented by Major Adam Chant. At 10pm, there will be 1940s music provided by JT. The following day, Sunday, May 11, at 10.30am there will be a special service of morning prayer to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Chawleigh Parish Church.

In North Tawton, there will be a flag-raising ceremony in the park at 9am on Thursday, May 8 followed by a parade of poppy wreaths to the war memorial at the cemetery. At 9.30am, there will be a speech and Okehampton Silver Band will play followed by a minute’s silence.

Then, on Saturday, May 10, there will be a coffee morning at the town hall from 10am to 1pm featuring stalls and wartime cake. There will be a fish and chips van from 11am, and a raffle at 12pm.

In Spreyton, there will be an exhibition about the village's contribution to the war effort featuring maps, letters and photos at Spreyton Village Hall on Thursday, May 8 from 6pm. There will also be schoolchildren singing wartime songs and a barbecue with refreshments. The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm.