NURSES, firefighters, Bevin Boys, factory workers - the men and women whose support was so vital to our country 60 years ago - received a big "thank you" today.

As the anniversary of the final victory in the Second World War approaches, a charity fund has handed out more than £20 million across the region to commemorate the part played by those on the Home Front.

Street parties, exhibitions, remembrance services, tea dances and parades are being organised across Yorkshire - thanks to the cash windfall from the Big Lottery Fund. The grants are part of the Home Front Recall scheme, which has sent out £22.3 million to 40 projects in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Sandra Laws, a supervisor at the Abbey Residential Home in Malton, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have received this money (£930).

"Most of our residents are over 75 and have both good and bad memories of the war.

"As part of our project we asked them about how they remembered the end of the war."

The home used the money to host a traditional street party for residents last week. Almost 100 people celebrated the anniversary with long tables, music, balloons and bunting.

In Scarborough, the Royal British Legion used a £7,600 grant to convert part of the social club to an authentic air raid centre.

Meanwhile, in York, the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire Museum was one of the organisations to benefit.

Museum curator Major Nick Allbeury said its £500 grant would go towards a "lasting tribute, not just to those who served in all the theatres of the Second World War, but also those who experienced the Home Front".

He said: "I am keen to use this money to put together a photographic celebration of the end of the war."

Vanessa White, of the Big Lottery Fund, said: "The general public has given its full support to this programme, which has been a huge success across the region over the last 18 months.

"We have helped to ensure that the lessons of the Second World War will not be forgotten."

:: Grants awarded to organisations in our region:

Association of Wrens, York Branch - £500

WLA A Day To Remember, York - £1,000

The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire Museum, York - £500

Abbey Residential Home, Malton - £930

East Riding of Yorkshire Council - £1,130

Royal British Legion, Scarborough Branch - £7,600

Whitby and District Tourism Association - £9,870

Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, July 26, 2005