This was how residents of Colenso Grove and Florist Street celebrated VE Day - Victory in Europe - on Saturday, May 12, 1945, technically a little late. Germany had surrendered on May 7, schools had enjoyed two days' holiday on May 8 and 9, and thanksgiving services were held on Sunday, May 13, but Keighley street parties like this were spread over several days.

At night there was dancing in the

Town Hall Square.

The oldest resident of Back Rupert Street dressed up as John Bull and "marched the children round the neighbourhood". At the High Street roundabout a lorry laden with victory beer shed four barrels (which burst) and a lot of bottles (which broke).

"A large quantity of beer covered the roadway," noted a rueful observer, "and escaped down the drains."

This was not, of course, the end of the Second World War itself, and it would be August before the surrender of Japan heralded another round of VJ Day celebrations and street parties.

The photograph was supplied by Mrs Kathleen Cockshott,

of Airedale View, Cross Hills.