BLITZ spirit on the home front returned to Wiltshire over the weekend with a special Dig for Victory festival at Whitehall Garden Centre.

The free two-day event at the centre in Lacock celebrated everything about the 1940s, from music and dancing to fashion, with vintage stalls and variety shows.

There was live entertainment from Ricky Hunter and Gita’s Choir while the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe was also remembered with a street party with 1940s shops decked out in red, white and blue regalia.

Paul Smith, who helped organise the event, said: “We had a busy weekend, there were plenty of people around to enjoy the entertainment and the history. We try to balance entertaining people coming into the centre with history and education.

“We put on a full day of activities from a historic point of view. Our focus was on the home front, you have a lot of events dealing with the war abroad but we tried to put emphasis on what happened back here. We also paid tribute to what women did – they are often not highlighted in the same way.”

Visitors enjoyed the 1940s fashion show and vintage vehicles, while children discovered the beauty of 1940s games and activities.

Following a tea dance and an hour-long variety show, the day concluded with the singing of traditional wartime songs and the national anthem.

A Whitehall spokesman said: “We were very pleased to support this event again this year and as always it was a huge success.

“It brought in crowds from far and wide who came to enjoy the full programme of events which included 1940s singers, dancing with Just Jive, fashion shows and lots of vintage stalls, there was also a full programme of events for children.

“It was great to see so many people get into the spirit of the event by dressing up and getting involved.”

The Whitehall Garden Centre beach will remain open until September 23 and will host a free Punch & Judy show every Wednesday throughout the summer holidays at noon and 2.30pm.