Cathedrals and churches across Britain have rung their bells as part of the three-day commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).

Bells rang out at 1000 GMT (2000 AEST) on Saturday to symbolise the end of World War II in Europe and the moment that churches could sound their chimes following six years of silence.

London's St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey joined in the tribute while the HMS Ocean, one of the Royal Navy's largest ships, sounded its horn.

Celebrations were to carry on into the evening with a concert at Horse Guards Parade in London, including performances from opera diva Katherine Jenkins, pop singer Pixie Lott and veteran rockers Status Quo.

Commemorations will strike a more sombre tone on Sunday, with members of the royal family, veterans and senior politicians attending a thanksgiving service at London's Westminster Abbey.

There will then be a parade of current personnel and veterans past the balcony of the Treasury building where wartime leader Winston Churchill made his VE Day address and a flypast of current and historic aircraft - including wartime Hurricanes, Spitfires and Lancasters.

VE Day itself fell on Friday, when commemorations kicked off with a service at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London attended by newly confirmed Prime Minister David Cameron.

After six years of air raids, blackouts, economic hardships and fighting that claimed the lives of almost 400,000 Britons, the country seized the chance to celebrate the end of the war on May 8, 1945.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has presided over a huge military parade in Moscow, to commemorate the 70th anniversary, but western leaders snubbed the event, in what's seen as a punishment for Russian interference in Ukraine.

Sky's Ian Woods reports.

"As well as as vintage Russian hardware and uniforms filling Red Square, Chinese and Indian soldiers were also invited to march in the parade.

"Mr Putin praised the role that Britain, France and the United States had played in defeating the Nazis, but was less complementary about current relations saying basic principles of international cooperation are increasingly being ignored."