RAMSBOTTOM enjoyed a real “blast from the past” when East Lancashire Railway staged its 1940s Wartime Weekend.

Enthusiasts battled with the rain for much of Saturday and Sunday, but blue skies were the order of the day on Monday.

The 16th annual three-day event included battle re-enactments, a military parade and 40s-style dancing.Crowds flocked to see a lifesize replica of a World War Two Spitfire plane, which was parked opposite the train station and was brought to the town following a campaign to raise £1,000.

A wedding was held at St Paul’s Church on Saturday, and the couple tied the knot in 1940s dress.

The couple had attended the event the previous year and enjoyed it so much that they decided to walk down the aisle at this year’s weekend.

A competition for the best window display, which was judged by the Mayor of Bury Cllr Sharon Briggs, was won by Jesse Mays vintage store in Bridge Street after members of staff kitted themselves and the shop out in 1940s gear.

On Sunday, the main event was a military parade through the streets, led by the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Forces Pipe and Drum band.

Guests travelled to the events on the East Lancashire Railway (ELR), and military displays and vehicles were also on show at the Bury Bolton Street and Heywood stations.

ELR chairman, Peter Duncan, who has been involved with organising the event since it started, said: “The weather wasn’t good but it didn’t seem to put people off.

"We had a really good crowd as we do every year. We try to bring new attractions to every event to keep things growing and we did that again this year, and we hope the event will run and run.”