A 1940s dance with music from the Beverley Big Band will mark the offical take off of the Friends of the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum at Manston.

The nostalgia-laced event with period dress optional is at Birchington Village Centre on Saturday September 20 and is the first fund raising event held by the charity group that was formed in the spring.

Friends chairman Sue Waller said: “We want our first public event to be a big success, to let people know we are here and are in action, and also to raise funds for the museum, which is one of the best of its kind in the region.

“The museum has an important role in the history of the UK and in particular in the part Manston played in wartime conflict, notably the Battle of Britain.

“We believe it is vitally important to raise and maintain the profile of the museum, particularly an awareness of the sacrifice made by young men and women in the past to keep our nation safe, and to maintain a focus on the sacrifice that continues today.”

The Friends, whose patron is Group Captain Tom Hindmarsh, a former commanding officer at RAF Manston, aim to develop, promote, publicise, and inform about the museum through an annual programme of events.

Membership to the Friends includes guided tours of the museum, newsletters, speakers, use of the museum library, concessions, social events and visits.

Tickets for the dance are £20 and include entertainment and a buffet meal. They are available from outlets across Thanet, including:

Ramsgate - Corby’s tea rooms, Key Stores, Jolly Farmer pub at Manston; Broadstairs - Fayreness Hotel, Royal Albion Hotel; Margate - The Promenade Hotel, Headturners salon; Cliftonville - Secret Gardens florist; Birchington - Macey’s new store.

For further information about how to join the Friends and their activities, contact Sue Waller at the museum on 01843 821940