DUNFERMLINE will be transported back in time to the days of World War II as the town prepares for Defend Fife this weekend.

Organised by Forth Pilgrims, it's hoped that the event will attract up to 5,000 people with a huge range of activities planned for Saturday and Sunday, including battle re-enactments, living history camps, dancers and displays, pop-up cinema and vintage stalls.

This year's festival will focus on the 1940/41 defenders of Fife. The event will feature the 1944 ‘push back’ against Axis forces in occupied Europe on various fronts by various means.

There will be indoor exhibitions in the Glen Pavilion, which was a Polish Army billet during the war, as well as a tea dance.

A section of Pittencrieff Park will form the WW2 weekend showground and Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries will play host to activities.

Dunfermline, which had its defences strengthened in the war years, was also the home of the Polish armies who were exiled to Scotland.

The festival will retell their story through the eyes of the Scottish and Polish soldiers who worked hard to ensure Fife remained protected.

Roger Pickering, director of Forth Pilgrim, said: "It all kicks off on Saturday and everything will centre around Dunfermline this year.

"Everything is in walking distance and accessible so hopefully we will get a lot more people now.

"There is going to be 35 exhibitions over the weekend so it's going to be very busy!

"The Pavillion and park will be a living museum.

"We've got a team from Warsaw coming and over the last couple of years, lots of people have brought them photos and artefacts about the Polish forces living in the area.

"Last year, we had one chap that brought in a picture of his uncle on an armoured train that would go around Fife protecting the coast.

"No-one had ever seen the inside of the train before so we would encourage anyone to bring their own items in!

"Of course, there will be lots of people in uniform and Polish dress who you will be able to speak to and take selfies with around the town.

"We will keep building each year at the festival, there are lots of different stories still to be told so a lot more to offer!"

The festival has received financial support from Fife Council and the Polish Consulate for Scotland. The Polish Consulate General will also be attendance at the event.

Some events are ticketed. Visit www.defendfife.co.uk for more information.