THE sunny weather brought the crowds in for a 1940s celebratory weekend.

Thousands of people from across the North West, including Rochdale, Burnley and Accrington, descended on Padiham for the return of the annual 1940s themed parade.

A total of 12 singers performed live music on stage in a marquee, while crowds enjoyed the different military vehicles on display and some enjoyed a drink from the brewery bar.

Organisers estimated 8,000 people had made the trip to Padiham, which was described as the ‘biggest and best yet’.

Burnley and Padiham’s town centre manager Catherine Price said: “It has been brilliant and so positive. A lot of young families have attended, people have dressed up. It has been bigger and better than ever before.”

Raynor Pepper, 46, from Worsthorne, who was also helping organise the event, said: "The weather has helped the turnout. People are really enthusiastic about it. People are transformed back in time and brings back a lot of nostalgia."

There was also an entertainment marquee, brewery bar, fashion show and 16 different stalls.

Craig Delaney, 60, from Rochdale, who ran a military clothing store called Demilitaria, said: "I think it's lovely and such an intimate show. It's getting bigger and bigger each year too."

Jonathan Colman, 50, who works with the Burnley detachment for Lancashire Army Cadet Force, said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed the event today. It has really brought the community together."

Cllr John Harbour, who was wearing American military garb, said: "It has been a brilliant day. The good weatherBurnley detachment of Lancashire Army Cadet Force has come out and we have had a lot of visitors come from out of the town."

Visitors from across East Lancashire said they were impressed by the weekend long event.

Ightenhill resident Kim Greaves, who was attending the event for the first time, said: "It's lovely and bringing the people out Padiham out. I never went to it before and live just five minutes down the road. I'm glad I came out to see it."

Accrington couple Martin, 55, and Barbara Smith, 66, said: "We have been to a 1940s event in Howarth and really enjoyed that and we really like Padiham itself. We know that Padiham has a beautiful town hall and we've been really impressed by the amount of different costumes we have seen. It's been great."