An authentic Normandy-style town is being built as a setting for a charity war weekend.

Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre, off Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike, will be home to about 200 military vehicles on the weekend of Saturday, July 9, and Sunday, July 10, including five tanks from the Second World War.

There will be a Battle of Britain memorial flight on the Saturday and people will be able to witness the firing of Second World War 25lb field guns.

Debbie Burton, a manager at Ponderosa, said: “It’s in its fourth year and it’s going to be a lot bigger. We’ve got double everything this year.

“It’ll be completely different to what anybody will have seen.”

The event will raise money for the Help for Heroes injured soldiers’ charity and for Ponderosa, which provides opportunities and activities for people with physical or learning disabilities and those with autism.

Yorkshire Military Vehicles Trust member Stuart Wright, who is helping to organise the event, has two autistic sons, ten-year-old Liam and Cameron, eight.

He said: “Ponderosa is a place where autistic and disabled children can go and they do respite care for children.

“Both my sons are autistic, it is a cause close to my heart, very much so.

“There are a lot of people out there that still need a lot of help.

“As much as they are loving, it is very hard work.”

The war weekend will take place from 10am to 5pm on both days.

Admission is £6.50 for adults, £5.50 for children, and children under the age of two go free. Family tickets are available for £20.

For more information phone (01942) 235276.

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