The boom of shells exploding will fill the air as antique field artillery thunders into Battlesbridge.

The Acorn Gunners, a charity display team, will demonstrate its impressive range of Second World War weaponry at the village's antiques centre.

Visitors can firstly browse round a living history encampment with period tents full of artillery unit equipment.

Then the grand blank firing display will begin with a variety of vehicles on show.

The Firepower exhibition uses a Morris commercial C8 Mk3 field artillery tractor, called a quad, to tow an artillery trailer no 27, which is known as a limber or ammunition store.

A 25-pounder quick firing gun howitzer will also demonstrate its power and was one of the most effective pieces of field artillery in its time. The last one in service was paid off in 1963.

The quad is dated 1943 while the limber and gun are from around 1941.

The show - sure to go off with a bang - will also give the display team a chance to practise before next week's biggest living history event.

Members will be taking part in special re-enactments with 2,500 other enthusiasts at Kirby Hall, near Corby, for English Heritage's History in Action day. Locals who come along to the Battlesbridge show will have the chance to find out how they can take part in similar events.

The display team was set up in 1995 and is now a registered educational charity dedicated to preserving and interpreting items from the Second World War. All its members are volunteers and collect and research their own kit.

The explosive day out in Battlesbridge begins at the antiques centre, off the A130, on August 8 at 10.30am with firing displays from 12.30pm onwards. Admission is free.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.