Richmond neighbours were out in full force on the Monday bank holiday, celebrating VE Day with patriotic street parties.

All day celebrations took place on Leyborne Park and Defoe Avenue, and didn't finish until 10pm.

Residents were particularly jubilant as Richmond council had waived the road closure fee in honour of the occasion.

Poh, Mary and Susan, who organised the Leyborne Park party, said: "We have been having street parties for about 10 years now, we just realised the community likes to get together.

"There has been a really great response, people are very excited, they are really entering into the spirit of VE Day."

(Left to right) Leyborne Park Street party organisers and residents Poh, Mary, and Susan (credit: Lucy Blackmur).

Highlights of the parties included cake competitions, dog shows and street games.

Speakers played a mixture of wartime radio hits and British classics, and red white and blue bunting hung over the festivities.

Facepainting, temporary tattoos and street games entertained children throughout the day.

The VE Day celebrations took place on Leyborne Park and Defoe Avenue (credit: Lucy Blackmur).

Grace Stecula, one of the organisers on Defoe Avenue, said: "There was no consistent communal gathering on the street before this, so we thought it was a perfect time because the permit was free.

"The event was really put together by everyone, everyone brought a dish pot-luck style."

The parties were especially excited by the appearance of the red arrows during their military procession.

Grace added: "People were so excited to see the flyovers.

"That really got everyone out of the house, once all of the jets came overhead."

The historical significance of the event was also an important part of the gatherings.

Leyborne neighbours enjoy the aftermath of the cake competition (credit: Lucy Blackmur).

One Leyborne resident, Carol, 56, acknowledged that this would be probably be the last major VE Day celebrations that World War Two veterans would see.

Defoe resident Adrian Stecula said it was important to celebrate the tradition of VE Day, especially in today's world where post-war structures are disappearing.

He said: "This is something familiar that we should celebrate."

A strong sense of community propelled the parties all day, as neighbours shared food, drink, decorations and even plant cuttings with each other.

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