THOUSANDS of visitors donned their glad rags during the Severn Valley Railway's colourful, flag-waving Step Back to the 1940s weekends.

A key highlight of the SVR's calender, the much-loved weekends saw the entire Railway transformed into a snapshot of wartime Britain on June 24, and June 25, and July 1, and July 2.

Visitors boarded the intensive service of 'evacuation trains' along the line, occasionally finding themselves next to some familiar faces - including Sir Winston Church and King George VI.

At Kidderminster station, visitors were also treated to an exhilarating fire-fighting re-enactment and display - courtesy of the NFA and AFS Vehicles Group.

Other attractions included a replica air-raid shelter, bombed-out building, shop, ARP Post, hospital train and classic and military vehicle displays.

There were plenty of toes tapping and hips swaying as the platform at Kidderminster was transformed into a dance hall during the evening Big Band Concerts on June 24, and July 1, featuring Worcestershire Jazz Orchestra.

Lewis Maddox, events co-ordinator, said: "From Spitfires flying overhead to ferocious fire-fighting, over 7,000 visitors donned their finest vintage clothing to step back in time - all with smiles on their faces."