THE centenary of the end of the First World War will be marked with a celebration in the grounds of a famous castle.

Members of the public are invited to Heroes at Highclere to join the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon in a weekend of activities including vintage cars, air-shows, exhibitions, cream teas and more.

The event, which will raise money for various charities, will be the last chance to visit Highclere Castle before it closes for the filming of Downton Abbey the movie.

The castle, which was used as a hospital during the First World War, will be open for tours, with visitors able to enjoy the state rooms, gallery bedrooms and costumes from the era.

On the castle lawns visitors can discover what it was like to arrive at a First World War Field Hospital and hear from a host of famous speakers including Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes and former war reporter Kate Adie.

There will also be entertainment from the Portsmouth Military Wives Choir and dancing lessons from The Gatsby Girls.

Vintage cars will be on display and a spectacular air show will wow the crowds with fly-pasts from Spitfire, the Red Arrows, B17 Flying Fortress and more.

There will be plenty to keep children entertained, including camouflage face-painting, a vintage carousel and traditional Punch and Judy puppet show.

The castle’s tearooms will open throughout the weekend and there will also be a selection of vintage catering units including Sweet and Savoury Crepes, and a Champagne and Oyster bus.

A memorial service will be held on the Sunday at 11am, when ambassadors and representatives from a wealth of countries will gather to commemorate the beginning of the end of the First World War and remember those who have lost their lives on active service around the world, particularly the airmen who died at Highclere Estate.

The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon have dedicated a life-sized memorial of an airman, carved from a 200-year-old Cedar felled on the Highclere Estate, with trunk rings marked for the years 1914, 1918, 1939 and 1945.

Lady Carnarvon said: “This weekend is to raise money for those who serve and those who save. There were many heroes who both died and survived during these terrible years as there are today. The lives of veterans or doctors, nurses or journalists were and are compromised in ways we can barely understand.

“Join us to support them. We hope Heroes at Highclere 2018 will be a fascinating and meaningful weekend.”