Veterans, residents, families, councillors and council staff gathered at Allerdale House for a flag-raising ceremony yesterday to mark VJ Day and remember those who were prisoners of war in the Far East.

The service was led by Mayor of Allerdale, Hilary Harrington, who was approached by local members of the Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW) Association with a view to marking the day.

The Union flag was raised outside Allerdale House with Coun Harrington paying tribute to those who fought in the Far East during the Second World War.

A poem – FEPOW Candle Prayer – was also read out by nine-year-old Cole Conway, from Workington, whose family is part of the FEPOW association. The poem was written by the daughter of a prisoner of war, Mary Michael.

Coun Harrington said: “I was delighted to host the flag-raising ceremony in remembrance of those who were prisoners of war in the Far East. It was very important to the families and descendants who saw the impact that years of imprisonment had on those prisoners’ lives.”

This year marked the 74th anniversary of VJ Day with hopes that more celebrations can take place next year for the special milestone.

The ceremony took place in front of a new sculpture gifted to the council by Gen2 apprentices. The youngsters made the metal sculpture as part of National Apprenticeship Week.o commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings and handed it over to the council last month who will put it on permanent display at Allerdale House in Workington.

In June, the council hosted a flag-raising ceremony and parade to mark the start of Armed Forces Week which was attended by local dignitaries, veterans and residents as well as council officers and members.