BRATTON was transported back to the 1940s at the weekend as the annual Bratton at War event celebrated its third year with a bang.

The clocks were turned back to the time of the Second World War on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday 18 for Operation Omega, staged by Wiltshire Home Guard, which featured war re-enactments, trade stalls and more, all enjoyed by hundreds of spectators.

Organiser Brian Hinton, of Wiltshire Home Guard, said: “It was a really great weekend with the biggest turnout we’ve had so far, so we are over the moon.

“Because the chimney came down on Sunday morning, loads of people up on the White Horse saw what we were doing down below and came to visit us later that day, which meant there wasn’t a free space in the car park.

“We had 103 traders and exhibitions in total, spread out across our version of Albert Square and the four roads leading off it, which is a cracking amount.

“There was also lots of old military vehicles on show and a real-life trench installed by another re-enactment group which went down very well.

“We held a demonstration of a German skirmish attacking British forces which was good fun and there were several others across the weekend too."

Proceeds from the event will this year go to the Royal British Legion and the Wiltshire Home Guard to allow them to make new additions to next year’s event.

Bratton crier Ray Davis, who took on the role of someone working for the Air Raid Precautions organisation, said: “It was a great day and there lots of youngsters there.

“In my opinion, children learn a lot more from events like this than they would do at school as it’s far more hands on and captures their imagination.

“There were also older people who lived through the war themselves. It's amazing hearing their stories; it really brings it home.

“Over the course of the weekend were so many wonderful things to see and do. It's very important to remember the past and this is a great way of doing just that."