A SPOT of drizzle couldn’t dampen the spirits of crowds who turned up in their thousands to Lacock at War over the weekend.

Now in its fifth year, the weekend-long show organised by the West Wilts area of the Military Vehicle Trust saw a whole host of war memorabilia decorate the village.

With a total of 23 living history groups, along with more than 70 military and vintage vehicles on display, well-wishers were able to find out more about war times while being entertained.

Chairman of the events committee Sylvia Wardle said while numbers were down because of the rain, the weather couldn’t stop people enjoying themselves.

She added: “The MVT are not in it for the money so anything we make gets put back into making the following year’s event and we have now been guaranteed a free show for the next five years.

“We hope to make people more aware and educate them about what happened during the war and that is one of the missions of MVT. It started out as a group of people who wanted to get these vehicles restored and then go places together in them. But what we now hope is to make people aware of what they were used for and the amount of enthusiasts out there is amazing.”

While the weather forced the BBMF Lancaster flypast to be cancelled, crowds were treated to the George Formby Experience which mirrored the sights and sounds of the 1940's while others were entertained by singer Madeline Brown and a burlesque workshop overseen by Dulcie Demure.

Visitors also took a moment to sing the national anthem.

Mrs Wardle said rumours that this year’s event would be its last are completely false and has promised crowds that they hope to make next year’s show bigger and better.

She added: “When people come to the show, many are surprised at how if they go over to someone with a vehicle they know the whole history of the car which they take great pride in.

“Lacock is a big tourist attraction and our show now brings in one of the biggest crowds into the village. We can’t thank Lacock Parish Council and National Trust enough to have the show there. They enjoy it knowing that we look after the area and we have the best interests of Lacock at heart.”

Plans are now underway for next year’s event.