A science fiction take on Victorian fashion and technology will take over Saltaire’s streets when Steampunk aficionados descend on the village for its annual World Heritage weekend.

Flamboyant fans of the genre will be wearing customised 19th century military and airship uniforms, brass goggles, copper, tweed and corsets for a series of gatherings celebrating the birth of the model village in the industrial age.

Michael Young, of Constance Street, Saltaire, is organising the Steampunk invasion for the World Heritage weekend, which marks 11 years since the village was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2001.

Mr Young, 46, said: “There is going to be a lot of people dressed up in Victorian costumes, who will be walking forms of art. Visitors will be stopping to comment how beautiful the costumes are and take pictures, but for a lot of us it is just an excuse to dress up!”

Steampunk band BB Blackdog will kick off the celebrations with psychedelic music at Caroline Street Social Club on Friday, April 20.

Also on the bill will be former Full Monty and Coronation Street actor Steve Huison, of Baildon, who will perform a song especially written for the World Heritage celebrations.

Early western European musicians Ovibus will play songs composed between the tenth and 13th centuries on border pipes and percussion.

Victorian costumed guides in Saltaire will show the Steampunks around the village on Saturday, following a morning gathering at Caroline Street Social Club.

Rob Martin, chairman of Saltaire Learning and Saltaire Village Society, which are organising the celebrations, said: “Steampunk, combines Victorian technology, vivid imagination and flamboyant dress sense and is an ideal concept to celebrate the World Heritage status of Saltaire.

“Technology was important to the World Heritage Site.”

Further details of this year’s World Heritage weekend will be made available at saltairevil lage.info and in the Telegraph & Argus.