Victory Day is one of the country’s biggest secular holidays, commemorating the 27 million Russians lost in the war.

Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were convicted of causing criminal damage to the much-loved tree following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Workers celebrated and waved flags to mark the end of more than 650 days of work by TBM Mary Ann to link Water Orton in Warwickshire with Birmingham.

"It feels profoundly right that Mike’s farewell will take place in the village, where he was born and he proudly called home." ...

Gurvinder Singh Johal, said to have been known to friends as Danny, was pronounced dead at the scene in Derby.