The sound of gunfire will ricochet around the grounds of an Accrington church as a World World Two battle is held to commemorate the D-Day anniversary.

A re-enactment between 15 German troops and 25 American GIs will take place at St James Church in the town centre.

The spectacle will form part of the new and improved Accrington Food and Drink Festival on June 6, and reflects the fact that the festival falls on the anniversary of the D-Day Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944.

Members of the North West Military Collectors will arrive in period equipment and equipment and before the battle at 1pm will be on hand to speak to festival visitors.

Peter Hall, of the family-orientated group, said: “We re-enact in order to remember those who fought so that we may have freedom.

“As John Maxwell Edmonds famously said ‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrows, these gave their today’.”

Along with the re-enactment there will be an Abbott Self-Propelled Gun tank on show outside Accrington Town Hall, and a Pegasus Bridge Airborne Replica Jeep at the Hyndburn Heritage D-Day display inside the Arndale Centre.

American television star Jesse McClure will also team up with celebrity chef Richard Fox to create the American GIs favourite dish ‘Grilled Cheese’.

Storage Hunters star Jesse McClure

The Storage Hunters presenter will show off his culinary skills live on stage at the festival at 2pm to celebrate the American troops who fought in the war.

Jesse said: “I’m really excited to be part of the Accrington Food and Drink Festival.

“The people of Accrington are always really friendly and welcoming and this festival is a great way to show off their products.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

There will also be a “Dig for Victory” attraction outside the town hall with raised beds of flowers, herbs and vegetables organised by members of Incredible Edibles Accrington and the Sandy Lane Gardening Group.

Children will be able to plant a seed or seedling to take away and take part in a cake decorating competition all day inside the market hall.

The festival, which will run from 9am to 7pm, is free to enter and will showcase a number of international food suppliers and local produce with stalls on Broadway and outside the market hall.