HISTORY was on the march at Eastleigh yesterday as The Real Dad's Army fell in line.

The tribute group, which recreates the characters from that 1970s hit comedy TV series starred at The Point as part of the town's Local History Fair.

There was no panic in the ranks as Captain Mainwaring and his men had the audience in stitches with the antics of the fighting force which manned the seaside barricades.

At the nearby Leigh Road Recreation Ground there was a full-sized version of the legend which became a wartime star of the skies. The Spitfire, from the Southampton Hall of Aviation, featured in a major display focusing on the areas rich vein of aviation history. The fighter plane made its maiden flight from Eastleigh, which is now Southampton International Airport.

The Local History Fair is now in its second year and is part of a series of heritage events being held this month in the borough.

There was also an opportunity to look at Eastleigh's industrial past. There was special free screening of End of an Era.

The film celebrated the history of the town's giant Pirelli cable-making factory. Hundreds of homes have been built on the Leigh Road to mark a new chapter in the history of the town.

Those with heirlooms were able to ask experts on antiques if they were worth a fortune.