A fly-past by the iconic Spitfire fighter plane will open this year’s Preston Military Show –the flagship event for the Armed Forces across the North West.

The historic aircraft, part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, is marking its 75th anniversary this year and is expected to be a huge draw.

The Preston Military Show takes place on Saturday, June 18, at Fulwood Barracks. Gates open at 12.30pm and admission is free.

The event is the largest military display in the North West and involves soldiers and cadets from Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.

Last year 7,000 spectators attended, this year organizers are hoping for a similar turn-out with more serving personnel, cadets, veterans and charities, representing the three services – The Royal Navy, The Army and the Royal Air Force – than ever before.

The 2011 show includes a range of youth activities which are open to the public including paintballing, archery, an aerial rope slide and climbing towers.

Brigadier Nick Fitzgerald, Commander of 42 (NW) Brigade, said: “I’m new to the region and this will be my first Preston Military Show so I’m very much looking forward to it.

“We see the annual show as an opportunity to say thank you to the people of the North West for their support over the last 12 months, a year which has seen many of our soldiers deployed on operations in Afghanistan.

“I hope that visitors on the day will get a flavour of the kind of work that we do across the region, and that they get to meet with members of their Armed Forces. But most of all, I hope they really enjoy it.”

Below is a timetable of the day

12.30pm Gates open and youth activities begin

12.50pm RAF Spitfire fly-past

1.30pm Arena displays by Brigade units, cadets and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

4pm Aerial show by the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team

6pm Beating of the Retreat – military band concert

There will also be a selection of modern military fighting vehicles, vintage military vehicles and a field catering display.