THIS Bank Holiday people will be able to take a step back in time or sample some European culture without leaving the Vale.

Evesham will be celebrating the weekend with the arrival of the Vintage Festival, taking place on Sunday from noon until 9pm and Monday between 10am and 4pm in the town centre.

Lizzie Taylor-Smith, who is organising the Vintage Festival for the second year running, said they were hoping this year would be bigger and better than the last.

She said: "We had about 5,000 people through last year, it was a big success. We are just hoping we get the nice weather this weekend and that we see more people than ever before.

"We have Kitty Von Mew opening the event, she's quite big in the vintage world, and the Dell Ray Rockets are headlining.

"There will also be local groups performing, including Aimee Fae, who won the local singing competition the W Factor.

"During the weekend visitors will also be able to see family friends burlesque performances and learn how to Lindy Hop."

The festival was able to go ahead after receiving a financial boost from the town council which awarded it £4,570.

In 2013 the festival received £1,825 but needed more this year to cover additional expenditure not met by the grant last year, including performance fees.

Over in Broadway the village's Italian Day will be held on Sunday from 10am seeing a taste of the Mediterranean brought to the Cotswolds.

The Ferrari owners club has been invited to the event and there will be an Italian market held at the villages war memorial.

Nigel Robinson, chairman of the Broadway Traders Association, who have organised the event, said: "There will be the Italian market outside the Cotswold Arcade and the Ferrari owners club. All we need now is some Italian women. I am looking forward to it. By inviting the owners club we are developing the Italian theme into something very special."

Other events taking place this weekend across the Vale include the Cropthorne Walkabout.

The popular village walkabout continues to grow each year as people open their gardens alongside market stalls, charity stalls, children's entertainment, bands, flower festival in the Norman Church, pig roast, licensed bar and various refreshments, local produce, bric-a-brac, preserves and a display of vintage cars. Tickets are £6 for adults and the event will be taking place on Sunday between 1pm and 6pm with a church service at 6.30pm. On Monday it will be open from 11am to 6pm.

And on Saturday and Sunday Evesham Rowing Club will be hosting its two day regatta on the River Avon in central Evesham. People are welcomed to enjoy the races, which will take place every two minutes.