VISITORS to the annual Wartime Weekend in Pickering donned their best 1940's outfits from fur coats to full military uniforms as celebrations at the highly anticipated event got underway.

Walking around Pickering, the clocks had officially been turned back 70 years, as the North York Moors Railway welcomed thousands of visitors on to the trains ahead of three days of events.

Whilst Pickering Station was a hub of activity, with school children enjoying looking at the 1940’s cars, the elaborate hairstyles of the ladies and authentic uniforms of the guards, there was also vintage stalls and an extensive flea market for guests to enjoy.

Many visitors were returning for yet another year, saying that the authentic atmosphere is what draws them back time and time again.

Joan and Alan Cockshaw, of Leeds, had come to stay in Ryedale for the week and had been coming to the Wartime Weekend for the past 12 years.

Joan said: “For us, the best part of the weekend is the atmosphere and getting to dress up. I’ve brought a basket with me full of food, newspapers and even little flasks of whiskey to keep us warm.

“It’s great to see the same faces returning each year and we have a lot of friends who come back every year as well.”

Thousands of visitors are expected across the weekend to watch the parades on Saturday and Sunday and the Tiger Moth fly-by at 1pm on Saturday and Sunday, providing the weather stays dry, is expected to be a huge crowd pleaser.

The action will continue at Grosmont which becomes the base of operations for the RAF and Levisham station will become the German-occupied French village of Le Visham.