Come and join us

The resort's Poulton Heritage Group is planning a massive VE/VJ Day celebration next month but is looking for more support from local people.

Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the town for the three-day festival when highlights will include a Beach Battle and a Victory Parade.

There will be huge exhibitions of World War II and military equipment by Pegasus World War II Displays, a local history show mounted by Morecambe Militaria, bomb disposal and fire-fighting displays and hundreds of 'living history' re-enactors throughout the town from Friday, September 9.

The Frontierland site will become a US Army base, German troop re-enactors will take over areas of Morecambe Arena and British troops will be based in Poulton village - all with huge amounts of genuine Wartime equipment.

The Platform will host a Forties trade fair and Smokeys' - the Morecambe Ex-Servicemen's Club - will be home to a range of entertainment and for local World War II veterans, who will be the weekend's guests of honour.

But the weekend organisers need more man and womanpower to make the event go with the military precision needed.

People are needed to act as marshals and stewards for some of the set-piece events, to help with ensuring the welfare of more than 100 veterans expected to attend and to back up organisers in dealing with crowd control and other problems that may arise.

Chairman Tim McCaffrey says: "We know that hundreds of people will be coming to Morecambe but we have only a handful of people to welcome them and to make sure they have a good time and want to return.

"Every offer of help will be welcomed - and by that we do not mean we want people to give up their own weekend. Even if you can only offer an hour here or there we will be very pleased and grateful."

To find out more about the festival, call the Poulton Heritage Group office on 01524-401243 or log onto the festival website at www.poulton-online.com