NEWTON Town Show is to make an explosive return as the annual event is held today (Saturday).

The annual event returns to Mesnes Park, Newton-le-Willows once again this year, taking place from 11am to 5pm.

The popular event again will again see a jamboree with many attractions for all the family throughout the day.

Exhibits at this year's show will include Stannage Stunt Display Team; Helicopter pleasure flights; Artillery displays; Axe throwing; Archery ; Paintballing; Fun fair; Craft Competition; Classic car show; Emergency services; Local acts in the arena and Brass Bands on the Band Stand.

There will also be ferret racing, the George Formby Society, Husky Dogs and more throughout the day.

A display dedicated to the 1st Battalion Lancashire Regiment Prince of Wales Volunteers (PWV) to honour their service in the South Arabian Campaign (Aden) in 1967 will be open from 10am to 5pm at the event at Mesnes Park.

The display is compiled by Veteran Paul Pennington, who served as a Private in the 1967 campaign, will tell story of the 1st Battalion Lancs PWV’s tour of duty in the South Arabian campaign (Aden) from January to October 1967.

Paul received help from the Lancaster Regiment Museum in Preston and St Helens Council’s Armed Forces Covenant Team to produce his display.

It includes pull up boards, photos and memorabilia, as well as the Ashton and Wigan Royal British Legion Standards, Duke of Lancaster’s Regimental Association Warrington Branch Standard, and the Old Newton Le Willows Branch of the South Lancashire Regiment PWV Standard: the latter to be “laid up” in All Saints Church in Earlestown in October.

Cllr Lynn Clarke, St Helens armed forces champion said: “It is very important to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the different generations of Armed Forces veterans in the borough. Paul has done a wonderful job in creating this display, which highlights the dangers and heroism of local veterans who served in South Arabia in the 1960s.”

Paul is keen to use the exhibition to bring comrades together and make them aware of the support available to veterans in the town.

He said: “If any veterans who served with the 1st Battalion Lancashire Regiment PWV before or during or after the South Arabian campaign would like to come and view the display it will be in the Veterans of the Foundation Gazebo next to the Ashton Royal British Legion stand.

"If any veterans who served with the Lancs PWV, Loyals North Lancs, The Kings, The Kings Own Royal Borders, or the Queens Lancashire Regiment, and also the Duke of Lancaster’s would like to talk to us about becoming members of the Duke of Lancaster’s Association (which takes in all the former regiments mentioned), then we will be happy to meet them on the day.”

Ahead of the show Seve Gomez-Aspron, Newton ward councillor, and also of the Newton and Earlestown Community Group, said: “Helicopter ride tickets will be available from the park which will take off and land at the landfill road at Vista Road and a free bus will leave from Park Road North all day.

“There will be a hot air balloon and stunt show plus loads of other stuff.”

There will also be two classic busses running all day on the following routes:

A single decker on Bradlegh Road/ Wargrave Primary School to Mesnes Park on Park Road North.

A double decker from Earlestown Market to Mesnes Park on Harrison Way.

Newton-le-Willows train station will also be signposted.

The funfair will be on Friday night and Saturday day.

Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron added: “I’ve been Chair of the Town Show Committee since 2013 when we brought the show back, and the committee have pulled it out of the bag again this year!

"The stunt team are due to be explosive, and along with the regular acts will make it a fantastic free family day out.

"I’d like to thank THINK! estate agents in Earlestown for their support as always and would encourage any businesses who want to get involved to drop us an email on secretary@necg.org.uk. Without their support the event can’t happen. See you on the day!”

There is no parking on Park Road North but there is free parking on the former St Aelred’s playground off Crow Lane East.