From spivs to Spitfires, relive the brighter side of life in wartime years at an action-packed 1940s weekend.

As aircraft roar overhead, red lipstick-wearing ladies dance to swing in navy and khaki coloured fashions.

The scene could be one straight out of a film on wartime Britain but is actually the Tenterden station of the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

This week the railway is hosting its annual 1940s weekend, complete with nostalgic steam engines plus copious amounts of bunting, dancing, singing and memorabilia. As well as the costumed spivs and military personnel, wartime planes will flypast over the two-day event.

On Saturday, May 19, see the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Douglas DC3 Dakota. A military version of the civilian Douglas DC3, the plane’s speed and range revolutionised air transport in the 1930s and 1940s.

The Kent Spitfire, Spirit of Kent TA805, is also booked to perform a display. The aircraft was restored after beginning its career with the RAF in December 1944.

As well as the roar of Rolls Royce engines overhead, the sounds of jive and swing will be wafting through the air thanks to the Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers. Also performing will be 1940s soprano Fiona Harrison. Dressed in full costume, her show We’ll Meet Again is a collection of forties favourites.

Privately-owned civilian and military vehicles will be on display, all restored to all their wartime glory, and history enthusiasts can also look inside a recreated Second World War air raid Anderson shelter.

Find out what fighting a fire would have been like decades ago with demonstrations from the Fire Service Preservation Society.

Families can also look at wartime kitchen memorabilia and cooking displays from Headcorn-based Lashenden Air Museum, as well as trade stalls with 1940s and 1950s clothing.

The railway’s trains will be running throughout the weekend, with services chuffing off every 45 minutes from 10.30am. The 10 and a half mile journey through the heart of the Weald terminates at Bodiam, where singer Tony Rice will perform a repertoire of 1940s classics on both days.

The 1940s weekend on the Kent & East Sussex Railway runs from Saturday, May 19 to Sunday, May 20. Admission £15, children £10, families £42. Call 01580 765155 or visit www.kesr.org.uk.