WARTIME classics singer Jill Daniels, who was chosen to perform at the 50th anniversary D Day celebrations and the Queen’s Jubilee, will take centre stage at Swanage’s Armed Forces Weekend.

The two-day extravaganza, which has grown into a firm favourite on the south coast, starts this Saturday.

It is one of many events across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day, which is on June 27.

Falklands veteran and campaigner Simon Weston said: “It is only right and fitting that we celebrate the men and women of the armed forces, past and present, especially as things stand at the moment in the world arena.

“Never has the acknowledgement of all that they do for us been so vitally important as today.”

In Swanage there will be a recreation of a 1940s seafront street party, with plenty of Spam sandwiches all round.

Sandpit Field will host a disaster kitchen demonstration from 11am on Saturday, with ex-navy Chief Petty Officer Steve Hooper showing off his culinary skills using a dustbin, some turf and two old car wheels.

The main parade starts at 2.30pm on Sunday, from the clock tower on the seafront.

Members of the armed forces can travel for free on the Swanage Railway throughout the weekend.

Swanage Railway commercial manager Martin Payne said: “Our offering free travel to members of the armed forces is our way of supporting the event as well as saying a big thank you to the armed forces who do so much for our country.”