HUNDREDS of veterans marched through Maidstone to mark the 60th anniversary of VE Day.

Outside the town hall the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr John Horne, and the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett, took the salute before meeting some of the school children who had turned out to watch.

Mr Willett said later: "The county town did a wonderful job in organising the parade, thanksgiving service and party for the many World War II veterans from both the Fighting Forces and the Home Front.

"It was particularly good to see so many schoolchildren out cheering the veterans as they marched past. Maidstone has thanked and honoured the veterans in a most memorable way."

Of the bomb atrocities in London on Thursday, which it transpired were happening as the parade was forming up, the Lord Lieutenant said: "There is no way that we and the marvellous veterans at the parade and service are going to be cowed by the actions of those who commit such atrocities."

One of the veterans taking part in the parade, Harold Carter, 74, from Maidstone, said: “We are all very proud to be taking part in what is one of the last major parades. It is very nice to see the children here. It is important for youngsters to get involved.”

Children from several primary schools lined the route waving Union Jacks and cheering as the veterans marched past.

Teacher Emma McKenna from Oak Trees Primary School, Oaktree Avenue, Maidstone, said: “Our Year four pupils have just been doing a project on the Second World War so it was great for them to be able to come. It is very important that youngsters take part in this.”

Pupil Deanna Barrett, 11, from Madingford Park Junior School, Bearsted, was among a group of 12 Year Six pupils waving flags during the parade.

She said: “We have been doing a project on the war and I talked to my grandad about what he did in the war. It is good we are having the parade because we might not be here if it wasn’t for these people.”