A total of �10m is being set aside in grants for to support education across the UK focused on the war.

The Big Lottery Fund said museums, libraries and archives had already been invited to express their interest, and now education authorities could also register.

Its chief executive, Stephen Dunmore, said the scheme - called Their Past Your Future - enabled schoolchildren to learn about and experience the WWII commemorations alongside veterans and hear first hand what that generation went through.

"Importantly, the memories and experiences the veterans are sharing and the knowledge and understanding they are passing on mean that many young people now have a greater appreciation of the sacrifices made by older generations during WWII.

"These new grants will enable more children to benefit from these learning opportunities." The Imperial War Museum will use the lottery grant to organise a series of exhibitions and events aimed at raising public awareness about WWII, in the run-up to the 60th anniversary of the war's end next year.