The 1940s tribute runs throughout the weekend

Swing bands, a big screen broadcasting wartime newsreels and a touring bus are taking over the square as part of the event organised by Westminster Council.

Visitors can relive the era by watching screen icons of the 1940s at the Odeon and Prince Charles cinemas.

World War II re-enactors are holding talks about the impact the war had on the West End and how it survived.

Real accounts

Visitors also have the chance to look at vehicles and fashion from the era.

The BBC's WW2 People's War website road show features real accounts of life during the war.

Other highlights include a 1940's bus on a tour of a number of war time landmarks in the West End, including sites devastated by bombs and Tube stations which were transformed into shelters.

West End at War runs on Saturday and Sunday.