A FLYPAST involving a historic World War II plane will headline this year's Stoke Prior Steam Rally in memory of the event's organiser next weekend.

Keith Shakespeare had organised the rally, among others, for 30 years but died suddenly in July from a blood clot on the lung at the age of 67.

His wife Tracey, daughter Liz and her husband Paul are organising this year's event and hope the flypast - featuring a Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - will be a fitting tribute.

Keith's son-in-law Paul said: "Keith had been doing these rallies for 47 years and they played a large part in his life. His death was completely unexpected."

The rally takes place on Saturday and Sunday (September 14 and 15) and the family hope, weather permitting, the flypast will be held on both days.

As well as organising the rally, community stalwart Keith was also a parish councillor and helped assist with Stoke Prior's annual fete.

The rally, which began back in the late 1980s, now features more than 700 exhibits throughout the weekend.

They include full size and miniature steam traction engines, fair organs, classic cars, motorbikes, tractors, commercial and military vehicles, stationary engines, model displays and collections.

In addition, there will be a fun dog show in aid of Birch Hill Dog Rescue at £1 a go.

While most of the exhibits are local, some are from further afield and coming all the way from Holland are the organs ‘Victory’ and ‘Locomotion’.

On Saturday evening from 7.30pm, there will be an evening with the world’s largest travelling concert organ, the 128-key ‘Victory’.

It can play tunes from the oldest classics to modern pop and everything in between.

It will be playing simultaneously with the smaller 73-key ‘Locomotion’, alongside a video screen wall showing synchronised pictures.

The film clips include wartime classics, comedies as well as the latest blockbusters.

There will also be displays by living history re-enactment groups ‘American West’ with Tepees, Indian Culture, Artefacts, Craftwork and Dances from the Wild West as well as the Mid-Victorian Militia Society portraying the British Rifle Volunteers of the 1860s.

Additionally, there will be arena events, trade stalls, refreshments, a beer tent and much more.

The rally takes place at Little Intall Fields, Stoke Pound Lane, off Hanbury Road, (B4091), Stoke Prior B60 4LF - visit www.shakespearesrally.com for more information.

The show opens 10am daily with free parking.

Admission is £8 adults, £7 seniors, £3 children aged 5-15. There is a family ticket for two adults and two children for £16.