A soldier let off a drunk and disorderly charge for celebrating a day early, a vicar given a start by a rocket launch, and residents burning their hated blackout curtains in the streets.

All these stories will feature in a new exhibition at the Rose Theatre to commemorate 70 years since VE Day – the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8, 1945.

The Digital Drama company, which helped produce this year’s successful John Galsworthy exhibition marking 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War, is back with another audiovisual show.

Some tales have been dug up from the Surrey Comet’s archives, and producers hope more will come in from residents.

Surrey Comet:

The VE day exhibition is being organised by the same company that helped produce the Rose Theatre's hugely popular Galsworthy exhibition earlier this year

Researcher Alison Ramsey said: “I did quite a lot of research in the history rooms over the summer, looking at what the Comet reported had happened in the days following the end.

“We have already had quite a few people contacting us. What we’re trying to do is capture a flavour of some of those extraordinary stories.

“The idea for the project came directly out of the research we were doing for the Galsworthy exhibition.

"A lot of people contacted us through the call-out from the Comet.

“Everybody we spoke to said: ‘I’d like to talk about my war.’

“They’d got lots of strong memories of the Second World War – that got us thinking.”

Surrey Comet:

The exibition will open at the Rose Theatre next May

While only some stories will be included in the in-depth exhibition, to launch next year, all will feature in a commemorative booklet designed to capture every contribution.

The free VE Day Remembered exhibition will run from May 5 to May 22 next year.

Got a wartime memory you would like to share?

Call Alison Ramsey on 07525 205148 or send an email to alison@digitaldrama.org.