VE Day 75: How a Northampton veteran and his flight crew hopped in a car to celebrate the end of WWII in style in London

It was only the early afternoon on May 8 when Maurice Marriott and his flight crew at RAF Wigsley learned the Second World War in Europe was finally over.

And what made the day even better for the 20-year-old Northampton navigator and his Lancaster flight team from Australia was they weren't listed for any missions the day.

That meant they were free to celebrate - and they did it in style.

Flight Sergeant Maurice, now 95, told the Chronicle & Echo: "It was only the afternoon when we heard the news. The whole squadron was celebrating, just wandering around beaming at each other.

"We weren't needed for any missions - so two or three of us got a car between us and went to London.

"On that day, no one really cared if he had a leave pass or not."

From the former RAF base near Lincoln it a several-hour drive to the capital city, but it was worth the trip.

There are many famous pictures of the huge crowds celebrating in London on VE Day, but Maurice and his friends were there to see it in person.

He said: "Everyone was just so happy and out celebrating. You were left just to mill around the crowd.

"It's a bit of a job to remember it now, but we must have found a place to get a pint or two - if you get in of course. They were all full.

"We went to Buckingham Palace to see the king and the royal family come out onto the balcony."

And after the party, all that was left to do for the crew to stop off at Maurice's mother's house and crash out for the night before returning to Lincoln.

Maurice said: "After that, they found jobs for us straight away. The Australians went back home in a matter of days, and soon enough they sent me east to Hong Kong and India to fly airlines.

"I spent my 21st birthday in Karachi in India."

Maurice would later meet and marry his wife Phyllis in Hong Kong. They are still together today after 73 years.