A gin company in York is running an virtual 1940s knees-up and gin-tasting session to celebrate VE Day.

York Gin has been running Facebook Live quizzes each Friday at 6pm since lockdown started.

This week, there will be songs from the 1940s as well as wartime cocktails, a fun quiz - and a roll of honour for veterans from the war and the heroes helping us through the coronavirus crisis.

There’s also a gin tasting to coincide with the launch of the company’s new miniature tasting pack of its five gins.

The Facebook Live shows have been seen thousands of times - and are available as recordings for those who can’t make the live event on Friday, May 8 at 6pm.

Register for the free event here: https://facebook.com/events/541252349907512/

The York Gin team have researched the history - and found the gin cocktails popular in the 1940s. They’ll prepare them live on screen.

Meanwhile, part-time workers Sam Hird and Kirsty Hughes, both studying singing at music schools in London, will provide a sound of the 1940s.

And a quiz has been designed to take viewers back 75 years with gin and history questions.

Presenters Susannah Baines and Jo Hird both normally work in the York Gin shop. They’ve already fronted five successful shows since the lockdown began.

Jo said: “Lots of people have said how much they’re enjoying our shows. They’re a real highlight of the week for them. And we love presenting them.

“The shows are light-hearted and topical with plenty of York Gin. This week we’ll be paying our respects to the heroes from the war years and today - while giving viewers lots to smile and laugh about as a much-needed released from the lockdown.”

The event is free with a voluntary donation to help the heroes at York’s St Leonard’s Hospice - struggling financially because its fundraising efforts have been hampered by the current lockdown measures.