A council has been slammed for the "shocking" and "absurd" decision to not to allocate any funding to VE Day celebrations to commemorate those who fought and died for this country in World War II. Former British Army spokesperson Major Mike Shearer said Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council were "stingy" for not putting any money for Poole to mark what will be the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over the Nazis in Europe.

BCP Council said it did not have the funds available to hold an official event in Poole on May 8, and officials said a beacon will be lit outside the town hall in Bournemouth. The town council in nearby Christchurch will fund a celebration on the quay, but Poole has been allocated no funds by any local authority for an occasion.

The lack of funding to one of the towns comes as BCP Council advertised for a new chief executive, who could receive a handsome annual salary of £205,178.

Speaking to GB News, Major Shearer said: "It's shocking. It is a disgrace. Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole really should be ashamed of themselves. Politics is all about competing priorities. It's as much about the art of living as it is about the science of furnishing society with the things they need.

"This is not just about the military; this is about celebrating the end of a war, a war in which we secured freedom and democracy for Europe.

"This is something we should take very seriously. And by the way, that same council is spending millions on 20-mile-per-hour signs to furnish the streets. Come on. They should get a grip. They really need to get a grip.

"It's just absurd. It is absurd. Look, on our Remembrance Sundays, what’s heard in all the villages in this country? 'When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.' We must celebrate this.

"People have given their blood and their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. And this kind of stingy attitude from our councils."

He added: "By the way, it was only a couple of weeks ago that the government was using dodgy language about sending our veterans to D-Day in June. Come on, somebody needs to wake up in this council and stop being so miserly."

A BCP council spokesman said residents were being urged to stage street parties to celebrate VE Day.

Rich Herrett, the council's portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: "If you would like to organise an event in Poole you are welcome to do so, but we are not in a position to fund that at this point."

Andy Martin, the council's portfolio holder for culture, added: "We are proud of Poole's history and involvement at Dunkirk during WWII."