THE 70th anniversary of Victory in Japan was marked with sombre events at Bradford Cathedral and across Britain including a royal commemoration in London.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Abid Hussain laid a wreath at a poignant ceremony at the Cathedral, which was attended by veterans including some who have received the Burma Star.

And former Royal Navy man Robert Clarke from Gomersal, now 92, proudly took his place in Horse Guards Parade amongst 900 veterans.

"Prince Charles and his wife were there and it was an absolutely excellent day," said Mr Clarke, who made a round trip to the capital on Saturday.

"My son-in-law Peter Benson drove me and I took my seat next to a 98-year-old nurse who'd been taken prisoner in Singapore," said the former leading signaller who was on board an adapted LCT (Landing Craft, Tank) when the signal came through that war was over.

Last year he returned to Japan with his wife Amy, 90 and was moved by the kind welcome they received.

"I'm a bit of a sentimentalist and was very touched by the ceremony on Saturday.

"We sang a couple of hymns and I just filled up and found I couldn't really talk," Mr Clarke said back at home yesterday.