A POPULAR motoring and military nostalgia event has announced its new name and a new date for 2015.

The Croft Nostalgia Festival, previously known as the Croft Nostalgia Weekend, held annually at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, will take place on August 8 and 9.

Organisers said they had changed the name to “reflect the all-encompassing, family-friendly tone and atmosphere” of the event.

The festival’s on track classic car and motorcycle races and parades will remain but off-track activities continue to grow as the public appetite for the war-time era shows no sign of waning.

In the year of the 70th anniversary of VE Day the event will include a series of aerial flypasts including Pitts specials, the Yak 52 and Jet Provost.

Military vehicle displays, fashion shows from times gone by and vintage music, memorabilia and fairground rides will all be part of the weekend.

On the ground, World War Two tanks will share space with living history encampments and legendary Spitfires, with a firing show from a 25lb field gun during the Sunday lunch break.

There will also be a 1940s-style dinner dance compered by old favourite ‘George Formby’.

“To say we’re a bit excited about the 2015 Croft Nostalgia Festival would be a massive understatement,” said Croft circuit manager Mike Cantelo.

“With motorsport now all-too-often a business rather than a sport, it represents a throwback to a bygone era and racing in its very purest form, for pleasure – as it always used to be.

“Whilst the cars are undeniably some of the stars of the weekend, the beauty of the Nostalgia Festival is that it appeals just as much to non-traditional fans too, with an intoxicating and irresistible blend of military magic, fabulous fashion and musical blasts from the past.”

The festival has always encouraged visitors to enter into the spirit of the event by wearing retro clothing and a number of trade stalls selling everything from vintage dress to fashionable accessories will offer period-style makeovers.

Advance tickets begin at £10, with weekend passes available for £23.

Accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free.

For further information or to purchase tickets, visit croftcircuit.co.uk or call 01325-721815.