The eerie wail of a genuine Second World War air raid siren will urge people to head to Scarborough Market Hall on Armed Forces Day.

And those who have responded quickest to the call of the siren could be in line to win some free shopping vouchers to spend at the market.

The market is planning its own contribution to Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25th June, which will include the creation of a “bunker” on the lower ground floor.

With the aid of backdrop material loaned by Eden Camp military museum, the bunker will provide wartime music and songs, face painting and also the chance to win market shopping vouchers. There’ll also be a “ration card trail” for youngsters to follow.

The first five people who arrive at the bunker after hearing the air raid siren will win £5 in vouchers. The market will also be decked out in patriotic bunting for the weekend.

Deli Delicious on the ground floor is offering the perfect picnic for Armed Forces Day, including a freshly-made sandwich, crisps and a drink, all for under a fiver.

Councillor Bill Chatt, Scarborough Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Housing, said: “We are really pleased that the market is making a contribution to Armed Forces Day this year and hope everyone will call in and see us.

Aside from the wartime bunker we’ll have set up, there’s a tremendous amount to see on both floors of the market – from fresh meat, fruit, vegetables and refreshments on the ground floor to a huge range of unique little shops on the lower ground floor with something new to discover for everyone.

We look forward to everyone in the market joining in with the spirit of the day and adding to the fantastic atmosphere Scarborough always enjoys on this special day.

A special June leaflet, detailing all the latest market promotions, is currently being distributed. It includes 30p off a punnet of strawberries from either Metcalfe’s or All Season’s fruit and vegetable stalls on the ground floor, during Wimbledon fortnight.

Contractors have begun a complete £2.7m revamp of the St Helen’s Square market as it gets a new mezzanine upper floor, creating space for new shops, offices and a café, as well as a complete facelift throughout. The market remains open with current stalls available throughout the work, which is expected to be completed by December.

On the ground floor hoardings have been put around an L-shaped section of the market, down the left hand side and bottom of the market, as you enter from St Helen’s Square. This is enabling work to start on the transformation, including the construction of the mezzanine floor. Market traders now occupy the remaining open space and are trading as normal. The existing entrances from St Helen’s Square are unaffected. Some construction work is also happening on the lower ground floor but the unique variety of shops down there are operating as normal.

Leeds-based Esh Construction Ltd is carrying out the work and is expected to include local workers on the contract.