Pre-dawn VE Day 80 rehearsal puts Armed Forces personnel in the spotlight

An early morning practice procession has taken place in London ahead of the parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe – Victory in Europe Day.

Military members and veterans will commemorate VE Day in front of the world's media on Monday, but rehearsals for the occasion saw hundreds of personnel gather in Parliament Square while the city slept on Saturday.

Marching to the beat of drums, they headed up Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace – as expected on Monday.

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The Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force were all represented in the trial run for the VE Day 80 event – which is expect to see around 1,000 personnel take part, as well as WW2 veterans, Ukrainian troops, cadet units and more.

A flypast is also expected – including Second World War aircraft and the Red Arrows - though the night rehearsal did not offer a glimpse of this ahead of time.

Seven military bands will be involved in the procession, including The Band of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on horseback.

Members of the Armed Forces will lead the commemorations throughout the UK and operations around the world.

They will take part in community events on military installations, and will take a leading role in VE Day 80 commemorations in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.