DARWEN’s sixth annual ‘1940s Day’ went with a special Spitfire swing.

Not only was there a replica of the famous Second World War fighter as its centrepiece but there were two special models of the warplane gifted to the town.

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Hundreds of both the young and old packed the centre of Darwen for the event, described by organisers as the most successful ever.

The 1980s replica Spitfire, equipped with some original parts from Battle of Britain aircraft, had come from Blackpool while the detailed scale models came from Leyland.

Accompanying the 20/50th Air Training Squadron who had made the models was 84-year-old volunteer Frank Ellison, a child in Whitehall when Darwen was bombed by the Germans in 1940.

He said: “I was 10 when it happened. It was carnage and that’s why I have always brought the lads over from Leyland with a model display of Second World War aircraft.

“This year we have brought exact models of the two Spitfires which the people of Darwen raised the cash to pay for as a thank-you.

“We are giving them to Darwen Town Council.”

Darwen mayor, Cllr Trevor Maxfield said: “We are delighted and grateful to be presented with these models of the town’s own special Spitfires.”

Owner of the full-size warplane John Coombes said: “It’s a great day and you can’t have a Second World War day without a Spitfire.”

Next door was a genuine 1944 field gun from Wigan.

Owner Frank Brown said: “Only a couple of people asked for us to open fire on Blackburn, but we had to refuse.”

Darwen market manager and event organiser Gwen Sangster, in full 1940’s dress, said: “It’s been our most successful ever.”

Harry Solomon, 21, from Heywood seemed to be having a good time with his armoured car, as three young 1940s-styled waitresses from Deli Carlo clustered round.

Darwen lasses Chloe Hynes,18, Elaine Tudda, 27 and Lauren Tracey, 20 were clearly loving every minute of the day and their elegant wartime costumes.

Chloe said: “We love it and we love the clothes.”

Lauren said: “We’d like this to be our uniform.”

Macky Cullow, 58, sister of deli owner Carlo, warned: “You’’ll have to wait till next year ladies.

“Don’t they look good?”