WHEN the death, destruction and darkness of the Second World War ended officially 60 years ago, our county and the entire British nation breathed a collective sigh of profound relief.

On VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), May 8, 1945, families in Kent lit bonfires, held street parties, decorated everything in sight with flags and bunting, danced and generally let their hair down.

Today, that generation now in their 70s, 80s and 90s, still remembers the elation and heady pleasure of dancing from dawn to dusk, kissing total strangers in the streets, and the release from the privations of six years of war.

Under the page one banner headline "Thank God For Victory", this is how the Chatham Observer and the Kent Messenger’s Maidstone editions reported VE Day in their lead stories on Friday, May 11, 1945:

"Never in its history has Kent witnessed such memorable scenes as it did on Tuesday, the long-awaited VE Day.

"Nature opened the day with a thunderous 'Victory Salute’ then the dark clouds swept away and the morning was kissed by the sun.

"The crowds were astir early. They came out in their thousands and they were full of rejoicing.

"There appeared to be a little reserve at first. After years of war, it was difficult to give way to one’s feelings.

"But as the day proceeded, they captured the victory spirt.

"Hands were linked, girls kissed servicemen – and servicemen even kissed policemen – and the fun began.

"But before that, the church bells pealed joyfully and thousands went to church to render their thanks. Hardest working people were the publicans and their assistants. The taverns were packed and it was difficult to get served."

Free drinks for men in uniform was the order of the day in a number of pubs.

The lead story reported that bonfires and beacons "lit the county" and effigies of the "Nazi gangsters" met a popular fate.