WARTIME memorabilia and military equipment sparked memories for many who visited Launton near Bicester.

The Oxfordshire Home Guard re-enactors took locals back in time by giving the village hall a military makeover last weekend.

Families woke up to a sea of camouflage and a fleet of military vehicles parked up, helping to raise hundreds of pounds for a hall revamp.

Platoon commander Brian Tegg said families enjoyed a host of demonstrations from his troops and hoped lots of people would continue donate to the cause.

The military-style 1940s event on Sunday managed to raise about £750 in total towards a village hall project put forward by the villagers.

Coordinator Wendy Foster said: "It was a terrific day.

"The Home Guards have made Launton Village proud with a fantastic £750 raised towards the renovation project of the Parish Hall.

"The troops worked non-stop from 7am in the morning talking to families who had travelled from all over the county, showing off their war time equipment, informing people about the Home Guards and at the same time letting people know how serious the village are about bringing their hall up to the 21st century."

The village hall was decorated in war-time memorabilia including old newspapers, phones and military equipment and cars and bikes parked up outside.

There were also games and a raffle to win prizes that were 'rare, scarce, rationed and black-marketed' back in the day - things such as tights, oranges and Spam.

The money raised is going towards the hall refurbishment.

Villagers formed a fundraising committee and are now looking at ideas including expanding the hall, adding a second room and updated toilets and kitchen facilities.

Ms Foster added: "We will be looking for most of the funding to come from national grant-giving bodies, but it is important to show the community cares about the hall so we plan to raise money from events put on by village organisations."

The booking secretary Joan Packer added: "The hall is currently very widely used, by groups as diverse as the Brownies, dance classes, the Home Guard, the Village Players, the Village Community Cafe, the Launton Gavray twinning association, and the WI, as well as for family parties and funeral receptions, and AGMs of village organisations.

"I know that there are people and organisations that have not been able to hire the venue, and as Launton goes on growing there will be more demand for meeting places."