Countdown is on for town's Vintage Day

The town centre will be transformed as up to 20,000 visitors flock to celebrate eras gone by on May 28.

Organiser Andrew Marsden, chairman of Batley Business Association, said: “I’m extremely excited about Vintage Day this year.

“From the minute the music goes on until the day finishes it just never stops. We’re hoping to at least equal the number of last year’s visitors, when we had 20,000.”

This year’s 40s, 50s and 60s-themed event will take place in Batley Market Place where a variety of retro performers will entertain crowds on the main stage.

There will also be a marquee NAAFI tent where visitors can take part in vintage dancing.

And this year, a Lancaster Bomber plane will fly over the market place to wow on-lookers. Mr Marsden said: “We start planning the event just the week after we finish the current one.

“Now we are in our third year and we are bigger and better than ever. We are now up there with events that have been established for ten years or more in this area. In our eyes Vintage Day is the biggest day in the Batley calendar.”

The event features a number of free workshops held in Batley Library.

Admission and all the entertainment on offer on the day is also free.

A series of free programmes will be handed out at the event. They are sponsored by Foxes Biscuits with digital artwork by a local artist.

Mr Marsden said the event, which is partly funded by the Batley and Spen District Committee with contributions from Kirklees Council and fundraising by Batley Business Alliance, costs less than £10,000 to organise.

The event also supports Batley’s food banks, and asks visitors to “bring a tin to get in” to donate to the stores.