TENS of thousands of visitors came to Pickering for its annual Wartime Weekend.

Crowds congregated in the warm autumn sunshine for a weekend of 1940s-themed events and parades.

The three-day event got under way on Friday, and included the foot parade, led by the Yorkshire Corps of Drums and a vast array of 1940s military vehicles.

Saturday also saw the return of the civilian vehicle parade with classic vehicles such as 1930s Austin 10, Rolls-Royce convertible and period motorcycles.

Pickering in Business organised an array of attractions around the town, including stalls at the White Swan, and1940s dances at the Black Swan which the organisers said were oversubscribed.

Phil Hall, of the Black Swan Inn, who is also vice-chairman of Pickering in Business, said this year’s event was more focused on the town than in previous years.

“I think overall it was quite a success,” he said. “This year we had fairground rides in the market place which meant there was more of a family atmosphere. We were blessed with the weather, it was beautiful.”

He said that the focus on the town meant events were less spread out and they could keep costs down. “Pickering in Business took over the Park and Ride as the showground closed down. So we were able to control the pricing to a substantial level.”

He added: “It’s great for the local economy, it generates a huge amount. We need to communicate that to the townspeople.”

He said next year’s event is planned to be “even larger”, with involvement from PiB, the town council and the Railway.