HUNDREDS of people stepped back in time this weekend to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Many donned 1940s-style attaire for VE day evening parties - in scenes that were a throwback to when thousands of joyful British citizens took to the streets when peace returned to Europe in 1945.

At the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington on Saturday, about 400 party-goers danced the night away to swing standards played by the New York Dance Band, at a VE day celebration dance in the museum's T2 Canadian memorial hangar.

Dancers took part in a quiz, a raffle and a tombola, all in aid of St Martin's Hospice, York Against Cancer and the museum's own funds.

Yesterday, about 400 people attended a memorial service, also in the museum's T2 hangar, to honour Second World War heroes. The service was conducted by museum chaplains, the Revs Leonard Rivett and Neil Mackey.

"It was a very short service - but a nice moment," said the museum's Christine Mellor, who organised the weekend's festivities.

Later, two of America's finest strike aircraft - F15 Eagles - performed a flypast at the museum as part of their contribution to the celebrations.

They were watched by thousands of people who crowded into the museum for the day's events, which included an aerobatic display by a Tiger Moth plane.

Christine said: "VE Day is a tribute to the men who served to defend our country."

Meanwhile, there was a nostalgic feel at The Mount Pub in York on Saturday as about 80 party-goers, dressed in a wide variety of war-time costumes - from RAF officers to land girls and nurses - stepped out for an evening of songs from the era to raise vital funds for the Royal British Legion.

They took part in a tombola, an auction - with lots donated by local businesses - and a raffle to help raise money for the cause.

Pub co-owner Rose Eunson said it was important to mark VE Day to remember the sacrifices of previous generations.

"It was through our parents and grandparents that we have our life now," she said.

In Pocklington, veterans from the 102 Squadron, who were stationed at RAF Pocklington during the Second World War, and crewmen from HMS Volage were in the town for a weekend of festivities. They included a visit to a scale model of the airbase constructed by villager Bernard Ross, and a private dinner for 50 veterans at the Wolds Gliding Club.

The National Railway Museum in York saw atmospheric 1940s scenes with a giant VE Day street party held in the Station Hall, with authentic entertainment including comedy, magic, music and games laid on for about 4,500 revellers.

Today, a sombre President Vladimir Putin, flanked by world leaders, paid tribute to the huge wartime sacrifice of the Soviet Union as Russia held a lavish parade marking the 60th anniversary of the Allies' victory over Nazi Germany attended by dozens of world leaders.

Meanwhile, the Queen was visiting Guernsey and Jersey to commemorate the liberation of the Channel Islands and the Duke of York was joining British veterans who braved Arctic conditions, in northeren Russia.

Updated: 11:13 Monday, May 09, 2005