A NEW organising committee is being set up to ensure the nostalgic show will go on for Haworth's annual 1940s Weekend.

Fans of the event had responded with shock to the news that the event's previous organising committee had resigned.

But now Haworth couple Brian and Andrea Leathley, who have been involved with the event for many years, have confirmed they are in the process of forming a fresh committee.

The pair lead the North West 101st Airborne re-enactment group, which normally mounts a display of American wartime vehicles and uniforms in West Lane at the weekend each year.

Brian Leathley was also part of the old organising committee which has stepped down.

Mrs Leathley said she and her husband were delighted with the "phenomenal" support they are receiving with their work to make sure the 1940s Weekend can continue.

She said that for 2018, the event will again raise money for the Pilgrim Bandits injured soldiers charity.

She added: "The Pilgrim Bandits are on board with us, but we're still in the very early stages of planning for next year.

"We have a couple of meetings with Bradford Council over the next few weeks and hope to hold a public meeting at the end of August to let people know what's happening."

The 2017 Haworth 1940s Weekend was successfully staged in May, but a detailed message posted on the event's official Facebook page on Tuesday (July 18) explained that the current committee was disbanding.

The committee spokesman wrote: "With the continuing expansion of other 1940s weekends and similar events, it is proving difficult to secure the required support to organise and deliver an event of this size safely within our wonderfully nostalgic village.

"With this in mind, our committee has made the decision to step down and, with sadness, will not be organising the event for 2018.

"Our thanks again go to everyone, too many to mention who have helped, we have had an amazing time."

The spokesman notes that the event has been running for 22 years, and over the past five years alone has raised more than £100,000 for military charities, a total which does not include the sum raised this year for the Pilgrim Bandits injured soldiers charity.

He added: "In addition, the monies raised by and for local community groups and charities is immeasurable, as is the economic value that the weekend has continued to bring to businesses in and around the village."

Speaking on Wednesday, (July 19) Nikki Milner, who was chairman of the committee that has stepped down, stressed that the weekend has not been cancelled for good.

"It's just the committee that has left," she explained.

"If a new, competent group comes forward with a viable plan I'm sure Bradford Council will work with them. It's time for a fresh start and new blood."

Mrs Leathley assured weekend-goers that the massively popular occasion would be going ahead in 2018.

"We do have some ideas to do things a little differently, but we will need to speak to Bradford Council about these first," she said.

"There's a lot to sort out, including the paperwork, health and safety, traffic control and public liability."