BRIGHOUSE will step back in time this week as the town’s 1940s weekend returns with music, dancing, vehicles and displays.

Steven Lord, from organisers the Brighouse Business Initiative, said the event celebrated the classic era.

“The Forties has become so popular as a period in history because people had more time for each other.

“They didn’t spend their evenings in separate rooms watching TV or playing computer games, they did things together and had proper conversations,” he said.

“For me the best things about the Forties were the respect, politeness, sense of community and looking out for each other. It was also a great period for simple entertainment such as listening to music and going to dances.

“We will bring all these good things back to life at the Brighouse 40s weekend.”

The main event takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The town centre and shops will be transformed and there will be displays from Spitfires and vintage vehicles. There will also be home cooking and 1940s dress and make up demonstrations, vintage bus rides and visitors can see Churchill and King George VI, sing-along with George Formby and learn the Lindy Hop.

There will also be evening entertainment, starting on Thursday with a Dad’s Army film screening at the Assembly Rooms. A new production of the play ‘Allo ‘Allo will be shown on Friday and Saturday at the Civic Hall, and there will beGlenn Miller style swing dances on Friday and Saturday night at the Assembly Rooms.

Anne Colley, chairman of the voluntary group, said: “With live 40s music, dancing, parades, vehicles and displays all around the town what better way to join in the fun than by getting fully into the spirit and dressing up 40s style?

“Lots of people already do dress up but this year we want to break all records.”

Organisers are expecting up to 100,000 visitors as the 1940s weekend has grown into one of the largest in the country.

Entry to the town centre is free and tickets for evening entertainment range start at £5.

Visit brighouse1940sweekend.co.uk. Tickets are also available at Harrison Lord and Ryecorn Wholefoods in Brighouse.