The style, culture and character of the wartime era will again be celebrated as north Norfolk steps back in time for the annual 1940s weekend in Holt and Sheringham.

North Norfolk News: Locals in 1940's dress prepare for the Holt 1940's weekend in September. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLocals in 1940's dress prepare for the Holt 1940's weekend in September. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Residents and shopworkers in Holt gathered for the launch of the event in their town at the war memorial on Wednesday, August 28.

Among them was Duncan Baker, chairman of the Holt 1940s committee, who said: "This will be the sixth 1940s weekend in Holt and it will be bigger and better than before.

"The big change this year will be that we are shutting Market Place, from Siddalls to the memorial, to traffic.

"That means the town will be more alive with re-enactments and singing.

North Norfolk News: Locals in 1940's dress prepare for the Holt 1940's weekend in September. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLocals in 1940's dress prepare for the Holt 1940's weekend in September. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

"The D-Day Darlings, who were Britain's Got Talent finalists in 2018, are back and we've got '80s icon David Van Day.

"There will be a children's street party and the whole weekend will be absolutely massive. There will be more entertainment and more stalls than last year. And it will all be raising money for Holt community centre, which is a vital community asset."

Also at the launch was a vintage Riley Falcon from 1936 owned and driven by David Smith from Colkirk and Steve Kinch brought his 1953 Portsmouth city police car, from East Runton.

Other people dressed up in 1940s clothes and military uniforms and 'land girl' costumes to add to the spectacle.

North Norfolk News: Duncan Baker with a vintage car prepares for the Holt 1940's weekend in September. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYDuncan Baker with a vintage car prepares for the Holt 1940's weekend in September. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

Among those dressing up for the occasion were Ashleigh Everett from Hector's of Holt and Abby Dyson and Marie Crowley, both from The Tannery in the town.

Marie said: "I love how ladies used to dress then - clothes were much more elegant."

Carolyn Burn, who is in charge of entertainment during the weekend, said: "There's so much to look forward to, including a dementia memory concert on the Sunday and an evacuees street party. I love 1940s fashions - maybe we've lost a bit of that."

The weekend, on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15, also includes vintage fashion, military vehicles, a ukulele group and other live performances, a ration book trail, photography and art exhibition, and a pigeon race.

North Norfolk News: Locals in 1940's dress prepare for the Holt 1940's weekend in September. From left, Marie Crowley, Abby Dyson, and Ashleigh Everett. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYLocals in 1940's dress prepare for the Holt 1940's weekend in September. From left, Marie Crowley, Abby Dyson, and Ashleigh Everett. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)

North Norfolk News: Warden Anthony Burn gets a cheeky kiss from his wife Carolyn as locals launch the Holt 1940's weekend. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYWarden Anthony Burn gets a cheeky kiss from his wife Carolyn as locals launch the Holt 1940's weekend. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2019)