WARTIME memories were stirred at a former prisoner of war camp that staged a 1940s theme weekend.

Organisers of the show at Harperley Prisoner of War Camp, in Weardale, County Durham, are so pleased with its success that it is likely to become an annual event.

About 150 military vehicles, many of them from the Second World War, were the main attractions at the show, that drew visitors from all over the region.

Other attractions at the 1943 camp, built to hold prisoners from Italy and Germany, included an evening dance to the music of Glenn Miller, which was a sell-out.

There were also a number of battle re-enactments from the Second World War and hundreds of people in authentic uniforms.

There was even a mock air-raid, with sirens and searchlights, on Saturday evening.

James McLeod, who owns the camp with his wife, Lisa, said: "The weather's been great and the number of people here has been absolutely unbelievable. We have been chock-a-block.

"The dance was absolutely brilliant. We sold 700 tickets and I would think 85 per cent of people were dressed up in 1940s gear and military outfits.

"This is the second one that we've done and I think it we'll do it every year."

Published: 02/08/2004