DESPITE the threat of poor weather, a Yorkshire Dales town enjoyed a weekend of mostly sunshine and clear skies - and an invasion of several thousand visitors.

For the eight year running Leyburn hosted its 1940s event, which once more has been heralded as a huge success.

Visitors dressed in a variety of period costumes, and music and dancing were much in evidence with most of the pubs and venues having some form of entertainment.

Singer Jayne Darling, who celebrated her 40th birthday over the weekend, performed a number of songs at the Old School House and on the Wensleydale Railway‘s Saturday picnic.

She said: “It was a fabulous weekend; both in the town and on the railway.

“One of the railway volunteers even sang to me as it was my birthday.”

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak spent some time at the event speaking to visitors and local people. He also met several elderly residents who served during the war itself and those involved in the weekend’s organisation.

He said: “It has been great to be here, I have enjoyed my visit immensely.

"I am really impressed with all the hard work everyone involved has put into this successful event."

The weekend also drew in visitors from overseas. On holiday was Clarine Louwerse with her family from Middelburg in Zeeland, Holland.

She said: “It has been a very interesting and enjoyable day, we were just driving past when we saw it."

Many of the shops and businesses had window displays and staff dressed in authentic looking costumes.

Organiser Kate Loughlin said: “There has been a real buzz about the town; it is lovely to see it so alive with visitors."