SEVERN Valley Railway will be rolling back the years this weekend when it stages a re-run of its popular annual 1940s extravaganza.

The steam railway will be hoping for a repeat of last year's success when 12,500 people turned out, many in period-style costume, to re-live the Blitz years. Joyce Perry, Sally Harris, Michelle Bowler, Victoria Hunt, Marnie Thompson and Dayle Rankin queue for rations.

Highlights of this year's programme, being staged on Saturday and Sunday and the following weekend, include a fly-past by veteran aircraft, big band sounds, the screening of genuine Pathe newsreel at Bewdley station, and George Formby and Winston Churchill look-alikes.

There will also be some stunning special effects, including the recreation of a direct hit by German bombers on a fuel train with spectacular results.

Period re-enactment group and Cum Sing Wi' We will be leading singalongs and Kidderminster station will be decked out with sandbags, posters and other wartime paraphernalia.