The 75th anniversary of VJ Day was marked across west Dorset.

Despite the pandemic putting a stop to large gatherings communities came together at small events to commemorate the momentous occasion.

Victory over Japan Day, on August 15, marks the day Japan surrendered and effectively the end of the Second World War.

In Bridport, town crier John Collingwood took to Bucky Doo Square to announce the two minutes' silence the Union flag flew above the town hall and at the town council’s Mountfield offices, commemorative bunting adorned the town centre streets, a video tribute was published online - which can be found at bridport-tc.gov.uk - and a socially distanced gathering of invited dignitaries and veterans laid wreathes at the war memorial in South Street.

In Beaminster, the Royal British Legion, with Beaminster Town Council, arranged a two minutes’ silence in The Square.

The ceremony started with chairman Tony Greenham laying a wreath at the war memorial and read out the names of the casualties from Beaminster in the Second World War before the two minutes’ silence with the reveille played by Mike Tolman.

President of the RBL branch, Admiral Musson, read the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph with prayers read by the Rev Chris Luckraft, RBL chaplain and vice chairman.

He addressed those there and said the day was particularly meaningful to him as his father was the chaplain of an aircraft carrier and was the Japanese surrender of Singapore. The following day he visited Changi prisoner of war camp. His uncle was serving in Burma.

Mr Greenham said it was well supported with around 40 people turning out for the ceremony.

There was a commemorative ceremony and laying of wreaths at the War Memorial in George's Square at 11am in Lyme Regis, which was attended by the mayor and mayoress - Brian and Wendy Larcombe - Royal British Legion representatives Ian Marshall and Phillip Evans and standard bearer John Hunt.

There was also a dedicated and poignant 'cry' by town crier Alan Vian and lighting of a beacon by the mayor and mayoress on the North Wall of the Cobb at 7pm.

Cllr Brian Larcombe said: "The extent of the marking of this important 75th anniversary of VJ Day was limited by current restrictions regarding public gatherings, as was VE Day similarly in May, but it is hoped that the significance of it being the 75th anniversary of both VE and VJ days and the ending of World War Two will be more visibly commemorated on Remembrance Day on November 11 - Government and COVID restrictions permitting.

“British forces in the Far East campaign has been described by some as 'the forgotten army' but the service given and lives lost wasn't forgotten on Saturday.”