ECHOES of life during World War Two coupled with the romantic era of the steam train are to be brought together during a spectacular wartime weekend .

Wartime in the Cotswolds will see military personnel packed into carriages hauled by steam locomotives, to the sounds of big bands playing, marching boots and even a wartime wedding.

Dozens of re-enactment groups will be representing British and allied forces as life in 1940s wartime is played out at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's stations at Toddington, Gotherington and Winchcombe during the weekend of April 25 and 26.

On Sunday April 26 a special treat for visitors will be a series of low-level fly-bys over Toddington station by a Spitfire plane which, subject to weather, is scheduled to appear at around 2.25pm.

A train ticket will give unlimited train travel and access to all the daytime events. You may even see royalty or perhaps Field Marshall Montgomery coming to inspect the troops on your train.

Separate tickets will need to be purchased for a 1940s dance evening on the Saturday evening.

There will be a wedding in the marquee at Toddington and military and civilian vehicles will be on display including a US-built Sherman tank.

At the privately-owned Gotherington station, the Gloucester Royal Regiment will be camped alongside the Home Guard. Visitors will be able to find out about Violette Szabo, nee Bushell, who was a British spy incarcerated by the Nazis.

At Winchcombe you can experience an air raid in a shelter and enjoy the period Coffee Pot cafe.

All around there will be entertainment, music and plenty of steam to keep young and old happy throughout the weekend

Visitors wishing to go along in period wartime costume are welcome to do so.

More details of the event and how to obtain tickets can be found on the railway's website: www.gwsr.com