Pubs will be allowed to stay open until 1am to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the UK prime minister has announced.

The government will allow pubs in England and Wales to close at 1am on 9 May to allow drinkers to continue celebrating into the early hours.

Four days of events are planned to mark the anniversary of the end of the second world war in Europe, including a military procession and flypast in central London, and the lighting of 2,500 beacons across the UK.

Pubs have previously been allowed to stay open late when England played in the semi-finals and final of Euro 2024 and for Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilee.

Keir Starmer said: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the whole country should come together to remember the incredible sacrifices made by the wartime generation and to celebrate the peace and freedom they secured for us all.

“Keeping our pubs open for longer will give people the opportunity to join in celebrations and raise a glass to all of the men and women who served their country, both overseas and at home.”

The VE Day commemorations will start on Monday 5 May with the Cenotaph in London dressed in union flags, a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace and an RAF flypast over London.

On 8 May, a party at Horse Guards Parade will be televised by the BBC.

Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “At such a challenging time for the hospitality sector, allowing businesses to extend their trading hours during these celebrations offers a much-needed boost while paying tribute to our shared history.”