BOVINGTON’S Tank Museum is making the final preparations for its big day this weekend.

On Saturday, the attraction’s new 50,000 sq ft exhibition hall, part of a £16.5m redevelopment, will throw open its doors to the public for the first time.

The date also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Bovington-based Royal Armoured Corps.

Saturday will see an all-action tank display, free of charge to the public, featuring 20 vehicles traversing the museum’s new arena.

The Army will demonstrate an attack and the Royal Armoured Corps parachute display team will be dropping in.

Nik Wyness, from the museum, said: “There is a real buzz about the museum in the build-up to the showcasing of the exhibition; the parachute display team and the British Army are going to make for a really magnificent show.”

Also featuring will be the Light Cavalry Band, talks from serving soldiers and family activities.

The new exhibition, The Tank Story, chronicles the tale of the tank from its inception to its use in combat today.

On display will be some of the most famous tanks in history, including the notorious German Tiger I.

The exhibition also aims to bring to life the stories of soldiers who served on tanks through audio-visual exhibits featuring rare interviews.