THERE was plenty of wartime spirit on show as Haworth celebrated its hugely popular 1940s weekend.

The three-day event has seen thousands of visitors descend on the village, many of them dressed up for the occasion.

Airmen, soldiers, sailors, land girls, Red Cross staff, GIs, wardens, nurses, spivs and members of the French resistance could all be seen enjoying the festivities.

The annual event, now in its 21st year, was raising money for the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA).

Patriotic Union Flag bunting hung across the village, and everywhere they went, people were reminded that 'Careless Talk Costs Lives', to 'Make Do and Mend', or simply to 'Party Like it's 1945'.

This year's occasion had a special Airborne theme, to celebrate the bravery of the Allied paratroopers during the Second World War, and fly-pasts by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire fighter proved a real hit with the crowds.

Traders on a packed Main Street all got into the spirit, from Holmes Antique Furniture setting up a wartime-themed photo booth, complete with props and costumes, to gift shop Health and Harebell becoming The French Resistance Bakery.

Vintage and retro shops in particular proved very popular with customers.

In Wave of Nostalgia, on Main Street, business owner Diane Park said the whole community came together each year to make the event a success.

She said this weekend looked to be one of the busiest yet.

She said: "It's incredible. I have just been upstairs and had a look out of the window just to see the range of people in the streets. It's very exciting.

"There were about 40,000 people last year and I think it may be 60,000 this year.

"People love to get dressed up. I make made-to-measure dresses so people come to buy dresses from me for the weekend.

"They also come to buy fabric from me and make their own, and some people have been in and showed me what they have made, which is so lovely.

"In wartime they did 'Make Do and Mend' because there was a shortage of fabric in wartime and they had to upcycle, and that's what people are doing again now."

There was a festival atmosphere in Central Park, where many visitors were enjoying the music and sunshine.

While some were happy to sit back and relax, others were up and dancing in the bandstand, enjoying the 1940s-themed entertainment in the Victory Bar marquee or admiring the array of vintage cars and military vehicles.

There were also a host of stalls, many with an armed forces theme, dotted around the park. People could learn about the local veterans who served their country, donate to military charities or find out about local cadet forces such as Keighley's sea cadets and Royal Marines cadets.