BRIGHOUSE will commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE Day with its third annual 1940s weekend, which starts today.

The free festival is organised and paid for by the Brighouse Business Initiative (BBI), with members stating the event has grown into one of the biggest of its kind in West Yorkshire.

More than 100,000 visitors are expected to descend on the town over the weekend, which is now said to be worth around £1million to the local economy.

One of the event's organisers, Steven Lord, said: "Knowing what great things we have put in place, I can’t wait to see it all happen.

"Brighouse is in for a real treat and the party atmosphere should be wonderful.

"We’re encouraging people to come in 40s dress if possible to make the 40s atmosphere come alive."

Highlights of the weekend are set to include an RAF flyover, a vintage market, military vehicle displays, and a variety of activities for children, including a fun fair and steam train and donkey rides.

To help re-create the VE Day party atmosphere, organisers have doubled the amount of stages showcasing music from the era from two to four, with two areas also set aside for dancing in the streets.

One of the weekend's most popular features, taking place at 3pm both tomorrow and Sunday, is the parade, consisting of hundreds of military personnel and civilians in 40s dress, led around the town by a marching band and a Winston Churchill look-a-like.

The fun begins tonight with a 1940's dance in Brighouse Civic Hall, with a play about D-Day veterans, 'Le Grand Return', also taking place in the Central Methodist Church.

Other musical highlights include a number of variety and matinee performances, culminating with a grand finale dance with the Calderdale Big Band on Sunday night.

Remembrance services will be held in Commercial Street at 10.30am tomorrow, and 1pm on Sunday.

Lesley Adams, chair of the BBI, said: "We are really proud of what we have achieved with the 1940s weekend.

"It attracts visitors, not only from all over the country, but from abroad too, and brings in over £1 million to the local economy.

"Not only that, it has created a wonderful community spirit in Brighouse."

An official programme for the event, printed in the format of a replica 1940s newspaper, can be bought for £1 from shops around the town.

The amount of parking for visitors has been trebled this year, with a vintage bus ferrying passengers into the town centre from designated car parks near the M62 and Brighouse train station.

For more information, visit www.brighouse1940s weekend.co.uk, or call 01484 722462.