Rutland's Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff travelled the county to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

National events to mark the end of the Second World War with victory over Japan have been more muted than originally planned.

The coronavirus pandemic and the national regulations to ensure public safety have prevented large scale events.

But Rutland's Lord Lieutenant Dr Sarah Furness and High Sheriff Richard Cole were not to be stopped from paying tribute in Rutland on behalf of The Queen and the community.

Muffled bells tolled over Whissendine's St Andrew's Church shortly after 9am, with the Union Flag then raised as the National Anthem was played.

Prayers were led by local vicar Rev Deborah Marsh at the village war memorial where the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff laid wreaths.

The group was joined by descendants of VJ Day veterans.

The Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff then travelled to Oakham Parish Church where Rev Stephen Griffiths led prayers before wreaths were laid on the town's war memorial.

A two minute silence was observed and the names of the men of Oakham who died in the war in the Far East - Private George Meadwell, Private Charles Wilfred Rawlings and Captain Raymond Stuart Dennison - were recalled.

In Preston Dr Furness and Mr Cole paused at the village war memorial in the churchyard to join in the national two minutes silence before completing their remembrance journey on behalf of everyone in Rutland at the war memorial in Uppingham.

Rector Canon Rachel Watts led prayers before wreaths were laid and silence observed.

The High Sheriff again recalled the local men who fell in the Far East whose names are etched on the steps of the memorial - Private John Edward Charity and Lieutenant James Henry Smith.

This official act of remembrance ended as bells rang out in celebration.

Reflecting on a moving day Dr Furness said: "The sacrifices of the veterans of the Far East campaign changed the course of history, ultimately saved many lives and allowed Western democracies to flourish.

"We owe so much to them all. Without their bravery we would not be enjoying the stable democracies that we have today.

"We will remember them.

"I am honoured to represent Her Majesty and the county to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan and to pay tribute by placing wreaths.

"It is a matter of extreme regret to me, and to the High Sheriff, that owing to the pandemic and

current Covid regulations we have not been able to hold big public events.

"Normally it is a matter of great pride and pleasure that so many people in Rutland will support such important events.

"However, the High Sheriff and I wished to mark the end of World War 2 and pay tribute.

"We hope that by next year we will be able to hold some big public event at which it will be possible to welcome hundreds of people to pay tribute for the end of World War 2."

Nick Clarke, of Uppingham's Nick Clarke PR and Media, made a short video and Richard Adams took photos to enable everyone in Rutland to join the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff in paying tribute and remembrance.

The video link can be found here.