SILENCE descended on the steps of Worcester Guildhall to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War as the Mayor said we all must learn the hard lessons of war.

Heads were bowed and medals gleamed during the two minute silence at 3pm today (Friday) to mark VE Day led by the Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Alan Amos, who gave a moving speech about the sacrifices which made democracy possible in the first place.

The silence brought a sombre moment of reflection and solemn dignity after the frenetic atmosphere of fiercely fought general and local elections, reminding all of the bloody sacrifices made to ensure that democracy exists at all.

Cllr Amos led the tribute on the steps of the Guildhall with members of the public, veterans and serving military personnel sharing in the commemoration.

Robin Walker in his first engagement since being reelected as Worcester's Conservative MP was also present.

Cllr Amos, whose own father was injured at Dunkirk but came home safely, said: "Although we must live for the future we must never forget the past since the past is part of our present and hence our future.

"We must never forget the sacrifices of all those heroes who were killed or injured nor the effect that had on their families or friends. One of those heroes was my own father.

"Our hope must be that we do learn the lessons of war and and realise that war represents failure, not success."

We have already reported how earlier in the day, members of the Worcester branch of the Worcester Foresters Regimental Association had a wreath laying ceremony at the regimental memorial stone in Gheluvelt Park, Barbourne Road, Worcester at 11am.

Lt. P W Kerans, 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action at the battle of Keren in Eritrea, which was part of the Italian Empire, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1941.

His brother won the Distinguished Service Cross while in command of HMS Amethyst when it ran the gauntlet of Chinese guns during a heroic dash down the Yangste River in 1949.

A young Worcester sailor on the Amethyst, Signalman Donald Porter, who has passed away, was with other members of the crew who were interned by the Chinese.

On leaving the Navy Donald enlisted in the 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment (TA) and served as a corporal in the Signal Platoon until the Battalion was disbanded in 1967.