FORCES wartime favourite Vera Lynn and Dad’s Army star Bill Pertwee joined hundreds of guests at an event in Kent to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

A Thanksgiving Ball, organised by the County branch of the Royal British Legion, took place on Saturday at the Ramada Hotel and Resort, Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, beginning with a bucks fizz reception for the 226 guests, including the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Peter Hooper, and the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Kent Viscount Philip De L’Isle.

During the evening, soprano Janet Tootle sang a rendition of a song written for the RBL Festival of Rememberance in 2004, called We Will Remember Them, in memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the two world wars and other conflicts.

The guests were also entertained by Kings Hill teenage magician Jonathan Shotten who peformed some of the tricks that have earned him the title of Magic Circle British Junior Champion.

Mr Pertwee spoke afterwards about his time on the hit BBC comedy playing Air Raid Warden Hodges and the evening ended with singer Jill Daniels performing music made famous by Vera Lynn and Ann Shelton, followed by dancing to the sound of the Beverley Big Band.

A raffle on the night, including the star prize of an eight-day holiday in Italy donated by Kent Messenger Group chairman Edwin Boorman, helped raise more than £2,000 for the RBL Poppy Appeal.