OKEHAMPTON Battle Camp is preparing for its fifth annual onslaught by thousands of visitors this weekend, as it hosts the Dartmoor Military Heritage event.

Opening at 10am on Saturday and Sunday, there will be a wide variety of events for Dartmoor and military enthusiasts to enjoy and experience. Weapons, equipment and skills will be demonstrated by soldiers. Displays of military memorabilia, models, and vehicles will be given. And it will be hands on for young and old with many exciting activities.

Second world war military vehicles will be demonstrated by enthusiasts of the Military Vehicle Trust.

Peter Coaker, Devon Military Vehicle Trust's vice chairman, said: 'Our members preserve and display military vehicles in honour of those who used them to defend our freedom.'

Lieutenant Colonel Tony Clark, Commandant Dartmoor Training Area, said: 'I look forward to opening the camp again to let the public see why we need to continue training on Dartmoor and the efforts that the military make as part of the local community to care for the National Park and be considerate of other users.'

Royal Marines will explain what it is really like in Afghanistan and Iraq, while the youngsters have a go on the rolling rock climbing wall.

Members of 31 and 33 Regiments of the Royal Signals, attending their annual training on Dartmoor, will be on hand to demonstrate their radios and to describe their recent operational experience.

Youngsters from the Devon Cadet Forces will demonstrate on the fitness trail and visitors can fire on the laser rifle range, take part in realistic battles with laser weapons and pit themselves against the cadets in crossing obstacles.

Model makers will display and explain their intricate work and dioramas of battles. Detailed battle scenes will be shown at 1/35th scale.

Together with the Dartmoor National Park Authority, there will be a guided three hour walk onto the moor to visit military railways, targets and bunkers at 2pm each day, from the camp parade square.

Defence Estates officers will be on hand to answer questions and explain how the military use and care for Dartmoor.

Frequent guided tours will visit stables and accommodation, built in 1893 for the Royal Artillery. Today many of the original buildings provide robust, Spartan accommodation for light armed forces, particularly the Royal Marines, honing their skills in preparation for operations throughout the world.

There is free parking on the parade square and easy access for the less able. The NAAFI Junior Ranks Club will be open to all for refreshments throughout the weekend.

Entry is free of charge.