A SPITFIRE will take to the skies of the North-East this weekend to recall the part played by a small village in helping to win the Second World War.

In 1939, Brancepeth, near Durham City, was transformed when the Durham Light Infantry set up camp in the village.

Starting on Friday, Brancepeth will mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war with a three-day festival looking back to the 1940s.

The first day of the commemoration will allow groups of schoolchildren and veterans to view an exhibition of hundreds of old photographs from the time. Sunday will be given over for a street party for villagers.

However, the main public events take place on Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. Visitors will be able to tour the castle and St Brandon's Church, where the bells will ring out for the first time since it was damaged by fire in 1998.

There will also be music concerts, a display of more than 30 vintage cars and Army vehicles, military re-enactments, a Dig For Victory display, jitterbug dancing, and stalls and exhibitions.

The highlight of the day will be a fly-past by one of the few surviving Second World War Spitfires. The aircraft is flying from its home in Wales and, weather permitting, will be put through its paces over the village at about 2.30pm.

Guest for the day will be former Government Minister Lord Glenamara, who as a young Captain Ted Short was posted to Brancepeth and wrote a history of the village during his time there.

On Saturday evening, there will be a 1940s dance in the village hall. Events have been financed with a £9,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

For more details, ring 0191-378 0952 or 0191-378 0974.