This year’s Southwick Show will have a very special visitor – the only flying Lancaster bomber remaining in Europe.

The iconic Second World War plane will perform a fly-past at the village show on August 30, and in honour of the occasion, show organisers will be raising money for military charity Help for Heroes.

The Lancaster is one of only two that remain airworthy out of 7,377 manufactured. The other is in Canada.

Mark Scott, secretary of the Southwick Show committee, said: “This year is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and there is quite a strong connection in Trowbridge.

“We used to manufacture parts for Spitfires here during the war. We thought that perhaps we could get something from the RAF to participate in our show.”

Mr Scott applied to the RAF’s participation committee, and received the news in February that the Lancaster would be able to appear.

“It’s an honour, it’s a real bonus,” said Mr Scott. “It’s probably one of the better ones we could have been allocated because it can fly in most weather conditions.

“I think it will be coming in at about 1,000 feet. It should be low and slow, to give everyone a really good view.”

The hope is that the bomber will be able to make two or three passes on the day.

Because of the Lancaster’s attendance, the committee decided to expand the military theme and is hoping to involve local cadet groups and invite a RAF recruitment team along on the day.

The committee has also decided that any money raised by the event will be donated to Help for Heroes, and local good causes.

Mr Scott said: “We always keep a little fighting fund for next year’s event and the rest we donate to charities. Help For Heroes is topical and seemed sensible.”

As well as the fly-past, the show will feature flower and produce contests, a car boot sale, live music and a scarecrow trail, among other attractions.

l An open day is being held tomorrow (Saturday) by Protint UK and Sextons in Castle Street car park, Trowbridge, with show cars, a Star Wars stormtrooper, face painting, cake sale, offers and a prize draw, including a first prize of a three-window car tint installation worth £160.