THERE was jubilation around the world when Japan was defeated by the Allies in the Second World War.

August 15, 1945, was declared Victory in Japan day after the war was brought to an end with the horror of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan officially surrendered on September 2 and the Allied victory was marked with street parties across Britain.

These photographs from the archives of Aireborough Historical Society show the joy felt by local people as the final chapter of the war came to an end.

Archivist Carlo Harrison said: “For those residents with men fighting in the Japanese campaign or who had been captured, this day had been a long time coming and from the peace here in England of 2019 it is hard to realise just how much of a relief and joy that day must have been.”

The top left picture shows a VJ party at Hawkhill Avenue, Guiseley.The top right picture also shows a Guiseley party - this time on Ashtofts Mount. Residents of the Little London area can be seen celebrating in the picture on the bottom left. The Hillcrest Estate party in Rawdon can be seen, bottom right. The fifth picture shows a Rawdon celebration to mark either VE Day or VJ Day.