DAME Vera Lynn will dedicate a rare military vehicle rescued and restored by a Yalding man when she visits the War and Peace Show on Friday July 23.

The Bren gun carrier was discovered in America by Brian Laker, of Mill Lane. It was only when he brought it back to Yalding in February and began stripping down the paintwork that he discovered the name Vera Lynn that had been painted on by the wartime crew more than 65 years ago.

"I was thrilled," he said. "I have been a big fan of Dame Vera since I met her 15 years ago during an event to mark the 50^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. She spent about half an hour talking to us and was completely charming.

"By coincidence I bought her CD at Christmas too, so it was as if this was meant to happen. When I heard she was coming to the Show and had agreed to dedicate the carrier I was ecstatic. It will be wonderful to meet her again."

Brian has spent the last six months working on the vehicle which would have performed a range of duties during wartime, as well as providing an armoured platform for a Bren gunner. He believes it may have been built in Canada for use by British troops.

While she is at the Show, which takes place at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood from July 21 to 25, Dame Vera will be presented with a cheque for £5,000 by War and Peace organiser Rex Cadman, which will go towards the Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

She will also meet veterans of the Second World War who have been invited to attend the Show free this year.

Dame Vera warmly welcomed the War and Peace Show's initiative in holding a special Schools Day for children to visit free to learn about the Second World War. "Being able to see the machinery and equipment that was used gives them a better understanding of what happened all those years ago," she said.

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