NOT only did Covid-19 fail to put paid to VE Day in Meliden, residents actually celebrated the milestone anniversary twice.

Residents of Bryn Llys have the distinction of being among the first to celebrate 75 years since the end of the second world War in Europe, with events on both Thursday, May 7 and Friday 8.

Throughout the pandemic, the residents have been taking part in mass choreographed dance routines to keep spirits high. With the approaching VE Day celebrations, the street was visited by two film crews eager to see their moves.

Resident Elin Hughes-Jones, who organises the sessions, said: "We had a really lovely VE Day - it was really nice.

"We actually had a two day celebration because on the Thursday ITV Wales came to film with us to a segment for the Six o'clock news

"We had practiced a routine to Glenn Miller We're in the Mood, so we did that from them on the Thursday and had tea in our drives."

Mrs Hughes-Jones then received a surprise call from ITV's mronign programme Good Morning Britain, requiring a repeate performance at 6am the following day.

"It was early start, we had to be there to meet them early doors at 6am, fully dressed and ready to go. With it being an early start, we went back in, went out , came back in- went back out at 11am for the silence and then had a picnic at 4pm.

"Despite the circumstances, we had such a lovely day. Everyone went to such lengths to decorate the street, they'd made bunting out of Aldi bags because they had the British flag on them."

In Rhyl, Royal British Legion fundraiser Richard Kendrick had originally planned and fundraiser at St Thomas' church with period music performances by the Rhyl Silver Band, Mostyn duo The Goodnight Sweethearts and the Military Wives Choir.

Despite the setback, Mr Kendrick - who played music for passers by alongside Rhyl councillor Brian Jones - was impressed by Rhyl residents' determination, who similarly decorated their homes with bunting and silent soldier silhouettes. Throughout the town , members of the Sea Cadets, Air Cadets, 8th Rhyl Brownies and Beavers paid their respects.

Mr Kendrick said: "Thank you to everyone who took time to decorate their homes and celebrate the end of the Second World War in Europe.

"Rhyl has stood out, with people doing their best to party without breaking the social distancing rules and remembering the fallen."

In Kinmel Bay, the Little Lambs Nursery opened despite the bank holiday to support key workers with a party for their children, and mayor of Towyn and Kinmel Bay cllr Morris Jones joined seven others for a small service and wreathe laying at St Mary's Church in Town, where a lone bugler played the Last Post.

Cllr Jones said: "It was a surreal and poignant moment in time, but we could not let such an important milestone in history pass without recognition."