Final preparations being made for Melton's popular annual 1940s celebration

This year’s celebration of wartime nostalgia takes place on Saturday and Sunday May 9 and 10 with activities in the parks, the town centre and the Stockyard expected to attract thousands of people once again.

It is completely free to attend but because it costs around £30k to put on and because funding streams have fallen an online fundraising page has been set up and volunteers will also be out with collecting buckets on both days.

Sharon Butcher, who co-ordinates the small band of volunteers who run the event, told the Melton Times: “We have stuck our necks out again and organised it as a free event.

“With the cost of living crisis we want everyone to be able to attend.

"If you start charging it prevents some people from coming, like families with two, three or four children and those on a pension.

“We just think that if we start charging then less people will attend and there is less of a benefit for the town.

“We may have to start charging at some point if we don’t get more financial support but we want to keep it free for now.”

Last year’s 1940s Melton Mowbray Weekend attracted around 15,000 people, including many tourists, and close to 20 coaches have been booked to bring attendees in for next month’s event.

Live music from the era will once again be belted out from the bandstand and there will also be singers in the town centre.

A wide variety of vintage stands selling clothing and memorabilia will be dotted around the town parks and lots of food and drink stalls.

There will also be another selection of displays of old military and agricultural vehicles, classic cars and re-enactment groups for people to tour on both days.

Nottingham Barracks will be bringing along a climbing wall, five military vehicles, a field gun and other equipment to show what the modern day armed forces have to offer.

The local Melton Mowbray Polish community will once again be putting on a display to illustrate their contribution to the war effort and how they settled in the town after it ended.

St Mary’s Church will be hosting a 1940s fashion show once more.

The miniature steam train will be offering rides in Play Close Park and it is also hoped there will be a Spitfire flypast during the event.

Tickets are also on sale for a 1950s and 1960s music dance at the Stockyard on the Saturday night.

Sharon added: “We’ve got loads of entertainment all over the town during the event.

"People are welcome to bring their own food and drink if they wish and there will be plenty of food stands for all budgets as well.

"The weather has always been good to us so fingers crossed ii is again this year.”

Go online at www.gofundme.com/f/melton-mowbray-1940s-weekend if you would like to contribute towards the cost of this year’s event – all size of donations are welcome.

Email [email protected] if you would like further information or you want to offer sponsorship.