The heavens opened as Horsforth celebrated VE day at the end of the Second World War.

And 60 years later they opened again with a vengeance as the residents commemorated the anniversary.

Organisers had left no stone unturned in their attempts to ensure May 8 was duly marked this year.

But the downpour put a damper on the event, sending revellers dashing to their cars.

And the planned drop by a parachute regiment had to be cancelled when the plane never even managed to get off the ground.

The dire conditions were a blow for the organisers who have worked for months to prepare a massive event to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.

But in true wartime spirit they battled on even after fate had lent a very unhelpful hand.

One of the organisers Mick Grubb, chairman of the town council, said: "It went very well to start with but unfortunately we had a tremendous burst of rain. The first hour was great but then the heavens opened, and it was very cold."

He said: "I think when we started the march we must have had 5,000 there, but the rain soon cut that down to between about 1,500 and 2,000.

A parachute drop by the 4th Parachute Regiment failed to happen after the plane was unable to take off.

Coun Grubb said: "The parachute regiment came and put on a display, but obviously they couldn't do the drop. The plane was at County Durham but never took off the ground because the weather was too bad."

He said that particular part of the celebration had always been dependant on the weather.

"It was a gamble which we lost," he said.

Coun Grubb, whose father returned home safely from the war after twice being reported dead, remembers it rained during the original VE day celebrations

Back then it could do nothing to dispel the euphoria -- and on Sunday many people were equally determined to enjoy themselves whatever the weather.

Huge crowds turned out at the start of the event, which began with the laying of a wreath at the HMS Aubrietia Memorial stone outside the museum.

Serving and former members of the armed forces, including US servicemen, joined the march in memory of those who had fallen. Also marching were members of the Royal British Legion, Women's Royal Naval Service, and Women's Royal Airforce.

The salute was taken in Fink Hill before the parade proceeded to the cenotaph on the ring road where another wreath was laid.

A service was then held in Hall Park, followed by a massive celebration with a free tea for all.

And there was so much food on offer that there was plenty left over at the end.

"We didn't get rid of all the food -- we had to take some down into town," Coun Grubb said.

And he thanked everyone who had put in so much work to make the event a success, including those who had baked more than 250 cakes for the event.

"What a tremendous community effort," he said. "I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard.

He said the tea party for 200 elderly and disabled residents in St Margaret's Church Hall had been perfect.

The two day exhibition of wartime memorabilia at the museum was an big success, and the accompanying wartime menu was a sell-out, he added.