Still the sweetheart : Dame Vera will be central to the festivities . Dame Vera Lynn is to play a central role in a long weekend of spectacular celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day . The wartime singer – who will be 98 on Friday – is to be included in events to commemorate seven decades since the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8 . Ministers will today announce a three-day spectacular , including wartime-themed parties , the lighting of a chain of beacons , a veterans ’ parade , an RAF fly-past and a 1940s-themed celebrity pop concert . Government sources said they were ‘ pulling out all the stops ’ for the commemorations – which start the day after the Election – because it is likely to be the last major anniversary to fall during the lifetime of Second World War participants . Although now too frail to travel to the events , Dame Vera – the Forces ’ Sweetheart – will be consulted over the arrangements and is likely to provide either a written tribute statement or video message . Under the plans , a service of remembrance will be held at The Cenotaph on VE Day itself , including a two-minute silence at 3pm marking the moment Winston Churchill announced the end of the war . Schools will hold VE Day-themed assemblies or tea parties , and during the evening a chain of over 100 flaming beacons will be lit across the UK . On Saturday May 9 , cathedrals will ring their bells in celebration and a 1940s-themed concert will be held at London ’ s Horse Guards Parade . The concert , to be broadcast live on BBC1 , is expected to feature many of the stars who appeared in a similar 60th anniversary VE Day concert , such as the singers Katie Melua and Katherine Jenkins . May 10 will be marked by a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey , followed by a veterans ’ parade which will pass along Whitehall and under the HM Treasury balcony where Churchill appeared before VE Day crowds . Couples celebrate VE Day - which marked the formal conclusion of Hitler 's war - in Trafalgar Square in 1945 . A reception for 2,000 veterans will be hosted by the Royal British Legion in St James ’ s Park , coinciding with a fly-past by a Hurricane , Spitfire and Lancaster . Dame Vera boosted the troops ’ morale by performing songs including We ’ ll Meet Again and The White Cliffs of Dover at concerts in Egypt , India and Burma . Last night , she said : ‘ I am sorry I will not be able to celebrate the 70th anniversary of VE Day in London in person , but my thoughts are with all who take part . We must always remember those who fought and all those who gave their lives on our behalf. ’ A Downing Street source said : ‘ Everyone wants Dame Vera to be involved if possible . ’
Wartime sweetheart will join events to mark 70th anniversary of VE Day . We 'll RAF singer likely to offer written statement or video message . Ministers will pledge to 'pull out all the stops ' for the three-day spectacular . Event will include Meet Again fly-past , veterans ' parade and a 1940s pop concert .