Local peace campaigners were joined by members of the public to mark the 80^th anniversary of the first ever atomic bombing.

A group of more than 40 people gathered in Canbury Gardens, Kingston Riverside, on Wednesday (6 August) in a solemn ceremony commemorating the destruction of the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

The event was organised by Kingston Peace Council (KPC)/CND and in attendance were the Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Noel Hadjimichael, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sue Ansari. Members of the local Japanese community also took part.

The Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Noel Hadjimichael, attended the ceremony (Credit: Kingston Peace Council)

Speaking on behalf of KPC, Phil Cooper said the commemoration event was one of many taking place on that day around the world to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

He explained that the number of people killed – more than 200,000 – by the atomic bombs dropped on the two Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the equivalent to the entire population today of Kingston, Hampton, Teddington and Molesey.

Cooper also read out a message from Kingston and Surbiton MP, Sir Ed Davey, calling for work to continue "across borders and political lines to build a safer, more just world, one where nuclear weapons have no place".

Following a minute's silence for the victims of wars, those present threw white flowers onto the Thames as a gesture in remembrance of the souls of the departed.

Earlier, peace campaigners had mounted a silent vigil in Kingston Town Centre holding placards to explain the significance of the day in history.