A Lancashire college has been accused of "forgetting" about VE Day after parents fumed about the decision to instead focus celebrations on "culture day".
Runshaw College, which enrolls 8,000 students on the outskirts of Preston, was blasted by one former member for "totally ignoring" VE Day celebrations.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, they said: "Are they forgetting our own country?
"Our own people, who lost their lives for us during battle? VE Day is very important and it is our history!"
Runshaw College celebrated a 'Culture Day' on VE Day
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The ex-member was one of several people who was left shocked by the college's decision.
They continued: "VE Day is very important and it's our history! To have a culture day, what on earth? It's VE Day! It's so wrong, and we are British. We should be proud."
Initial attention was highlighted in a Facebook group, which noted Runshaw College "totally ignored VE Day and any two-minute silence in favour of 'culture day' which included Bollywood, Caribbean dancing, a cultural fashion show".
It added: "I bet the fallen would really appreciate the total lack of respect and care that went into the planning of something that could have happened on any other day... One word sums up the mindset of those in charge of Runshaw College: pathetic."
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Commenters under the post expressed their anger at the decision from the college.
One user said: "I asked my daughter, she said it was culture day. So disrespectful. One day out of 80 years, so wrong."
Another added: "They would not be living in a free society today if it were not for those who sacrificed. 'For your tomorrow's they gave their today's.' I'm beyond disgusted."
Principal at Runshaw College, Clare Russell, responded to the outrage expressed in the Facebook group.
VE Day celebrations were seen up and down the country
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Russell said: "We commemorate the victory and peace achieved in Europe in 1945.
"The legacy of all those whose sacrifices secured our freedom lives on today.
"As a college, we are proud of our work to promote the British values that our armed forces fought for and which bind us together as a community.
"We remember too that this was not solely a British effort; millions from across the Commonwealth - India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and the Caribbean - also fought with courage and conviction to secure the freedoms we enjoy today."
