SHOPPERS were In The Mood for dancing on Saturday as Bishop Auckland stepped back to the 1940s for a fun event.

Hits from the Glenn Miller big band era set toes tapping in Newgate Street and the Newgate Centre where the Fenner Sisters recreated the music of wartime favourites the Andrews Sisters.

Enthusiasts in RAF and British and US army uniforms, and a display of military trucks and jeeps, revived memories for old soldier Ernie Elmer, from Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Elmer served in North Africa and Italy with the Green Howards regiment, and was in the audience at one of band leader and composer Glenn Miller's last concerts.

Mr Elmer said: "Seeing all the vehicles and people in costume brought it all back. It was tremendous.

"People were dancing and having a good time and the music really got them going.

"I saw Glenn Miller in North Africa in his last concert but one. Soon after that his plane went down in the North Sea on his way to a concert in France.

"It was very mysterious and we never knew what happened. It was very sad."

The event was one of a series arranged through the summer to encourage shoppers to visit Bishop Auckland.

Town centre manager Derek Toon said: "All the people I have spoken to think it is great and they want to make it bigger and better next year."