A FULL-scale spitfire aircraft, vintage buses and a funfair are among the attractions at the New Ferry festival this weekend.

Classic cars, military vehicles and live music will also feature during the event, taking place on Saturday and Sunday in the town's precinct and park.

Organised by New Ferry Residents Association and Wirral Council it aims to lift community spirits and show the town is open for business after the devastating explosion on March 25, and for everyone to have some fun.

It combines the best of the classic vehicle weekends held in the precinct in 2013 and 2014 with the New Ferry Park fun weekends that took place from 2006 to 2010.

Mark Craig, chair of New Ferry Residents Association, told the Globe: "This event is an open invitation for everyone to come to New Ferry and see what it has to offer, and give our town and its businesses the lift it needs."

In New Ferry Park there will be a stage featuring entertainment from local bands including Insanity Beach, Ragamuffin, Legion Green, Acoustiko, Kirsty and choirs including the Tone, Riversign Choir and Grove Street School Choir.

There will also be performances by Complete Works, whose dance studio was destroyed in the recent gas explosion.

In addition, there will be bouncy castles, mini go-karts and stalls selling items including hair accessories, cakes and crafts, facepainting, an inflatable assault course, dog and pet show, pony rides, karaoke challenge, line dancing demonstrations and lots more!

Residents Association chair Mark Craig continued: "Our town has been through a traumatic experience.

"Several families are still out of their homes, whilst some businesses remain closed.

"Some of the businesses that ARE open have been struggling to see their customers return."

The event is able to take place with sponsorship from Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Unilever and the New Ferry Town Team who have all rallied around to help.

Its aim is to raise funds for the benefit of New Ferry including its Christmas lights this winter.

More details www.newferryonline.org.uk or the festival's Facebook page