A MUCH Marcle country house, once owned by a war hero, will be the backdrop for an event where people can share their memories of the Second World War.

Members of the public, including former servicemen and women and their families, are invited to historic Hellens on Saturday, April 23, from 1pm to 4pm. There will be tea and an afternoon of reminiscences as part of the BBC's People's War project.

Visitors are asked to bring along memorabilia to help create an exhibition and to tell a volunteer about their wartime experiences.

Volunteer Carol Smith said the memories would be archived on the People's War website and a booklet of local people's reminiscences would also be produced.

Those not involved in the war are also invited along to see exhibitions of what life was like during the war years.

At 7.30pm, the De Hellion Chorale, conducted by Adrian Partington, present a concert of music from the wartime era.

An audience singalong, led by Hellens' very own forces sweetheart Corinne Hart, will include classic wartime songs such as We'll Meet Again and the White Cliffs of Dover.

Former Hellens owner Major Malcolm Munthe served in the Special Operations Executive in Finland, Norway, North Africa and Italy.

Although he was seriously wounded at Anzio, where pieces of shrapnel pierced his skull and chest, he nevertheless later parachuted into Arnhem.

Hellens curator Nicholas Stephens said: "He had an absolutely astonishing service record."

Major Munthe owned Hellens from 1939 and turned the manor house into a public trust in 1982.

He recorded his own memories in two books, Sweet is War and Hellens, a history of the country house.

Hellens gardener Maurice Embrey, who still works there one day a week, has lived in Much Marcle most of his life and served with the Lancashire Fusiliers in India until partition.

He has contributed pictures and memorabilia for the display.

Tickets for the concert are priced £10 and more information, contact Mr Stephens on 01531 660504.