Visitors will be parachuted back to the 1940s when they walk into the bustle of an everyday street recreated at Dover Castle as part of its annual Second World War weekend, complete with an explosive highlight.

From Saturday to Monday, visitors will be rubbing shoulders with an air-raid warden on patrol, mixing washday and ration queues and joining the daily drama of life in a country coping with war.

As off-duty flying aces relax between sorties and the Ministry of Food gives demonstrations of austerity cooking on a ration, a picture of wartime Britain will unfold.

Soldiers, ATS and medical staff will be quartered in authentic tents with their equipment, weapons and period vehicles, including an original 1938 RAF staff car.

A full-size reproduction Spitfire plane will take centre stage at the RAF airfield, where visitors can experience the tension for pilots and personnel under enemy attack.

A battle re-enactment every afternoon will feature the 56th independent infantry brigade 2nd battalion Essex Regiment.

Youngsters will be kept on their toes with children’s drills and the chance to discover if service life is for them by being put through their paces reporting for uniform and saluting the officers.

An authentic NAAFI tea wagon will offer a welcome cuppa and a sustaining slice of bread and butter pudding.

Completing the nostalgia will be sounds from a live 1940s band and a series of talks – including the chance to find out how to stop a Nazi tank using only blankets and plates!

Dover Castle is open from 10am to 6pm and admission is £16.50 for adults, £14.90 concessions, £9.90 children and £42.90 for a family ticket. English Heritage members are admitted free.

Other events being staged at the castle this summer include a medieval siege on July 28 and 29 when visitors can experience the atmosphere and drama of one of the bloodiest sieges in Dover Castle’s history.

For further information call 0870 333 1183 or visit the Dover Castle website.