FUNDRAISING has started for the fourth annual Queensbury 1940s day.

The increasingly-popular event, held on Chapel Street in the village, will return again next year – and it promises to be even better, say organisers.

Joan Milner, who is one of the organisers, said the event will take place on June 17, and added: “We are starting fundraising for next year already because we have a swing band coming.

“Kitty LaMare, who performed last year, has a swing band and we have grabbed it while we can.”

Fundraising will get into full swing on September 3 at the George III pub in Chapel Street with a night of music and singing.

Tony Woolin, landlord of the pub, will perform his Neil Diamond tribute act, and Mrs Milner said: “He is really good. You shut your eyes and you think Neil Diamond is in the building.

“It will be a spectacular night of entertainment with all the glitter of Neil Diamond.”

The Neil Diamond tribute will be on from 8pm to 10pm, followed by karaoke until midnight.

It is free to get in, but organisers will be collecting money in buckets throughout the evening.

Mrs Milner said: “We need to keep going with the fundraising to keep on improving every year – so it keeps ticking over.

“It will make the 1940s event better for people who go.”

Mrs Milner said organisers were happy with the current set-up of the event, adding that they were not trying to emulate the size of similar events in places like Brighouse.

“We are happy with Chapel Street,” she said. “It is a cosy and friendly atmosphere.

“People love the atmosphere. It is very community-minded – it always brings the community together.

“We have got the Queensbury spirit back again.”

She added: “I cannot believe we are going into our fourth year – it is brilliant.

“I am overwhelmed. The support we have been given has been superb.”

Kitty LaMare will perform during the day at the 1940s event before joining forces with her swing band, the Alleycats, for a show in the evening at Queensbury Conservative Club.

This year’s event, which was held on June 18, featured a dramatic flypast by a Second World War Spitfire plane.

Queensbury Performing Arts group also delighted crowds on the day, and member David Edmondson said of the event: “It’s brilliant for the community. It brings everybody together to remember a truly nostalgic time.”

The event was first held in September 2014.