IT wasn't quite what people had expected a few months back but people celebrated the 75th anniversary of the war in Europe in some style.

There were no church services, public wreath-laying or crowded street parties but instead people marked the day the best they could within the social distancing rules.

There were 'street parties' of a kind: the tea and cakes were there, the makeshift tables, the bunting and Union flags. It just more spread out.

Pigeonhouse Field in Sutton Scotney held one such event. Lorna French said: "What a fantastic little cul-de-sac! What fantastic neighbours."

In Elm Road, Fulflood, Fiona Penman-Walker told the Chronicle: "From the moment the kids took to the street brandishing their (recycled) ‘Road Closed’ sign the Elm Road party started. Almost every house was vibrant with flags, banners and bunting. Individual tables and chairs were set up in the front gardens. The sounds of Vera Lynn singing “We’ll meet again” wafted down the road.

"You could hear laughter everywhere, along with the chink of fine bone china and champagne flutes, as everyone chatted over the garden walls and wandered down the street to wave at neighbours.

"If Winchester is the happiest place to live in the UK, Elm Road has to be one of the happiest and friendliest roads in the city. A fabulous fun in the sun afternoon was had by all, with social distancing maintained by everyone."

The Queen said yesterday: "Never give up, never despair" and when more than 30,000 people have been killed by Covid-19 we might have been celebrating the end of the war against Nazism but the battle against coronavirus goes on.