TWO veterans were invited to celebrations in London to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Former Northamptonshire Regiment soldier Ivor Cutler, 81, of Little Sutton, and George Ford, 82, of Ellesmere Port, who served in the Royal Army Service Corps, both had official invitations to take part in a garden party hosted by the Queen for veterans at Buck-ingham Palace.

Mr Cutler, who was among the first British troops to land in Algiers, was accompanied by his wife, Jessie.

At the party on the palace lawn he saw VIPs including Prince Andrew, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Michael Howard and John Reid, the Defence Secretary.

Mr Cutler said: 'It was a marvellous day and I felt very honoured to be there.'

Mr Ford said: 'It was a great honour and privilege to be invited.

'It was a memorable occasion that will live with me forever.'

Mr Ford served from 1938-52 in north Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and Palestine.