War veteran John Patrick Conroy will be guest of honour at an event organised to commemorate the 60th anniversaries of victory for the allies in Europe and Japan.

The 'VE and VJ Commemorative Party', to be held at the George pub in Leeds Road, Idle, will also raise money for the British Legion.

"We want to raise money for veterans like John and celebrate all they did for us in the war," said landlord Andrew Woolley, whose father fought in World War II.

"What these men did for us is unbelievable and they should always be honoured and looked after," he said.

He and other regulars at the pub presented 87-year-old Mr Conroy with a pair of socks as a symbol of respect for his wartime service - saying the veteran would have needed dry socks after being evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk.

Mr Conroy, of Idle, was born in Bradford in 1918. He was conscripted in 1939 but, because he was blind in his right eye, he was assigned to the medical corps.

"They said I wouldn't be able to fire a gun so I would be more use saving people's lives who had been injured," said Mr Conroy.

He said he was stationed all over the world during the war.

"I went absolutely everywhere: South Africa, Belgium, the Suez Canal - all over," said Mr Conroy. He was involved in the evacuation at Dunkirk and remained there for four days until he was finally sent home.

Mr Conroy said he and other corps members rescued hundreds of soldiers there.

"We had to put them all into rescue boats, anything that would float, just to get them out of there," he said.

Mr Conroy said the mood at Dunkirk was one of horror and panic. He was particularly nervous because he could not swim and the water was getting higher and higher.

"I finally got away from Dunkirk by clinging on to the back of a boat that was already full," he said. "I was very lucky to survive it."

Mr Conroy said he was delighted to be guest of honour at next week's event.

"It is very nice to have been invited as guest of honour; I am very much looking forward to it," he said.

Mr Woolley, who has been responsible for organising the event with Ken Pugh, Steve Marsden and Mark Cranny, said it would be the biggest event in Idle in many years.

"We are expecting hundreds of people," he said.

There will also be displays of historic vehicles, a jive dance group and competitions. The pub will be decorated in a wartime theme.

"We are also looking for a bugle player to come forward and take part in the event," said Mr Woolley.

It takes place from 1pm on Saturday, June 4.