SEVENTY-SIX years to the day since the guns fell silent in Europe, a local veterans’ charity marked the anniversary of VE Day with a ‘pop up cafe’ in Garelochhead on Saturday.

The Garelochhead Station Trust (GST) organised the event at the Gibson Hall to raise awareness of, and funds for, its work supporting former service personnel across Helensburgh and Lomond.

It was the Trust’s first organised indoor event since the beginning of the first Covid lockdown in March 2020, and safety measures were evident all around the hall, with social distancing between family groups and extra hygiene measures provided.

In a social media post a spokesperson for the charity said: “A huge thank you to everyone who supported our VE Day themed Pop Up Cafe today.

“We had a fantastic turnout and raised nearly £500.

READ MORE: Garelochhead veterans' charity plants new 'tree of remembrance' for WW1 victims

“It was marvellous to see so many of our members and to meet lots of others from the wider community.

“Special thanks also go to Morrisons in Helensburgh, who generously supported our event.”

Launched in late 2018, the Trust, which gained charitable status in June 2019, provides information, support, training and social opportunities for veterans and their families, of all ages, from its temporary base at the Gibson Hall.

The group plans to set up a permanent home in the platform building at the nearby Garelochhead railway station once refurbishment work is complete.

To find out more about the GST's work, click here.

READ MORE: Click here for all the latest Helensburgh and Lomond news headlines