A summer picnic concert at a Norfolk stately home is set to take on a 1940s flavour – to mark a milestone in the venue's history.

Eastern Daily Press: Left to right, Mary Wilson, Darren Edgeway and Natasha Edgeway at last year's event. Picture: ANTONY KELLYLeft to right, Mary Wilson, Darren Edgeway and Natasha Edgeway at last year's event. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2014)

Blicking Hall, near Aylsham, plays host to a classical music event which attracts thousands of concert goers each August.

Each year has a theme, and this summer's will be a 1940s party – harking back 75 years to when the hall and its grounds were gifted to the National Trust.

The estate's last private owner, Philip Kerr, the 11th Marquess of Lothian, died in December 1940, but he bequeathed the estate to the trust.

It was the first of all the major properties to be left to the National Trust in this way, setting the pattern for many other estates to be saved rather than being broken up. Houses and their contents could be donated to the nation intact, in place of death duties.

Eastern Daily Press: Mezzo soprano Annette Wardell will be sing with the Sinfonia Viva orchestra at this summer's Blickling Proms event. Picture: Denise BradleyMezzo soprano Annette Wardell will be sing with the Sinfonia Viva orchestra at this summer's Blickling Proms event. Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

Blickling's marketing and visitor manager, Jo Bosch, said: 'It's going to be a special year for Blickling. We have some fresh and exciting things up our sleeves which will really celebrate the legacy that this visionary man left.

'The Proms is one of the year's signature events, and we're so pleased that the 2015 concert theme will help us to tell his story.'

The concert, staged by Revival Productions on Saturday, August 8, will feature the Sinfonia Viva orchestra and mezzo soprano Annette Wardell performing 1940s style music. There is also a choreographed Spitfire aerial display and rousing Last Night of the Proms style finale, with fireworks.

The deadline for discounted early bird tickets at £29 ends on January 31. Later tickets will be £33 or £36 on the night.

Visit www.revival-productions.co.uk