A HAMPSHIRE village is preparing to turn back time to mark a historical period of war.

Southwick near Fareham is hosting its annual D-Day Revival between Friday, June 9 and Sunday, June 11 and which is expected to attract thousands of people.

The three-day historical event will see 1940s military vehicles, hundreds of war re-enactors and a 1940s market along with Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast at 3.30pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday with Dakota aircraft.

The event is being organised by the residents in partnership with the Principal of the Southwick Estate Mark Thistlewhyte and the Ministry of Defence at Southwick Park.

Southwick House where British military commanders planned D-Day will also be open to the public for tours with special talks in the D-day Map Room by museum historians.

D-day was one of the crucial events of the Second World War where the Allied forces invaded Normandy on June 6 1944 forcing the German Army south towards Paris.

This event started in 2013 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of D-day is expected to raise more than £20,000 for armed forces charity with 5,000 visitors expected from across Hampshire.

The Portsmouth Military Wives Choir open this year’s Southwick Village D-Day Revival with a concert at St James’ Church in the village on Friday, June 9 singing a variety of patriotic songs from the era.

Paul Beaver, the official biographer Eric Winkle Brown, the first armed forces pilot to jet onto an RAF carrier will be giving guest talks on the lives of RAF pilot and Bridgier Ben Kite will give a lecture of the lives of the soldiers from the ground.

Martin Bazeley, one of the organisers, said: “It’s part of the village’s unique heritage which the whole community is getting very excited about.

“The village has so many heritage features that make it a perfect backdrop for the event.”

Mark Thistlewhyte, chairman of the Southwick Estate, said: “Southwick’s history as the location for the planning and command centre for D-Day, together with its largely untouched rural-village feel is a good enough reason for many to attend.

“However it is in the recreation of the war-time strength of community and the individual human elements that help make this such a special weekend.”

Councillor Neil Cutler, city councillor for Southwick, added: “It’s a wonderful event and was originally only planned for the 70th anniversary of D-Day. However, the demand has been so popular that the event falls annually giving the village a strong sense of identity and link to D-day although the focus is shifting more towards the revival.”

Entry to the village will cost £2.50 for adults and £1 for under 14s.