People can raise a glass to VE Day celebrations in the Rutland village of North Luffenham as the Fox Country Pub and Dining is also staging its annual beer festival that holiday weekend.

Owner Jason Allen told Oakham Nub News: "I think its going to be a great celebration of real ales and we pride ourselves in our real ales.

"We have been here five years since buying the property. It is our fifth birthday this month, which we are continuing to celebrate with the beer festival and the VE Day festivities."

The fun starts on Thursday May 7 when the beer festival opens at 5pm with 16 real ales, guest ciders and gins.

The following day- a Friday- promises a fun afternoon 1940s style at the historic 18th Century inn on Pinfold Lane.

The beer festival continues from 12 noon to 11pm.

From 2pm to 8pm is a BBQ/hog roast World War Two style, plus other food stalls.

Military historian and director of Penny Guides Penny Burton will give VE Day educational sessions.

From 12 noon to 3pm, will be music from the 1940s.

Then, at 3pm a national toast of respect led by villager Gerry Wells, a World War Two veteran who holds France's highest military honour- the Legion d'honneur.

From 3.3 pm to 6pm is live music from Keith Tomlinson. 'The Major' with covers from the 1940s through the decades.

5pm will see a 1940s-themed fancy dress competition.

1. 3 pm brings live music from Dan Hughes, back by popular request.

The Fox will be open for food from 12- 9pm with a special VE Day specials board.

Saturday May 9 sees a continuation of the beer festival from 12 noon to 11pm.

There will also be the BBQ/hog roast from 2pm to 8pm, with live music from traditional Irish band Inis Eire. Pub food will run from 12-9pm.

Sunday May 10 sees the beer festival running from 12 noon to 10pm. Sunday lunch runs from 12-5pm, with the pub's popular monthly Open Mic at 3.30pm hosted by The Other Band.