PEOPLE in St Austell are being encouraged to apply for grants to help fund VE Day and VJ Day street parties.

This year sees the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe Day, on May 8, and Victory over Japan Day, on August 15.

In 1945, these days of rejoicing marked the end of Second World War hostilities in Europe and then the Far East.

St Austell Town Council has created a special street party fund to which residents associations and individuals can apply for grants of up to £150.

The council has set aside £2,000 for street parties within the area it covers.

A spokesperson said: “Grant applications will be considered and agreed by the town clerk in consultation with the chair or vice-chair of the community committee. The fund will be administered on a first come, first served basis.

“The fund is not available for retrospective funding, commercial organisations, the purchase of alcohol or street parties outside the town council’s area.

“Receipts totalling the grant funding provided must be provided to the town council within seven days of the street party taking place.

“The grant application form is available from www.staustell-tc.gov.uk.”

As part of the commemorations and celebrations in the town, a VE Day Reflection will be held at St Austell Library on Thursday, May 8.

The library and Salsa (St Austell Library Support Association) will also be staging an exhibition about life in the town as the war came to an end.

People are being asked to write down memories and provide photographs for the library to copy. People can pop in to the library or ring 0300 1234111. The email address is [email protected]

After the material has featured in the exhibition, it will be held as part of the record of bygone days in the town.