BIRMINGHAM families have a chance to sit in an air raid shelter, hear 1940s music and imagine what life was like for people in the city fighting for survival during the Second World War.
An emotive art exhibition to mark Victoria in Europe week is being held at Birmingham's back to back houses on the corner of Hurst Street and Inge Street.
It includes a photographic exhibition called Lest We Forget put together by Sarah Wilson a musician and audio artist, and Ming de Nasty, a photographer.
As part of the National Trust's Whose Story? project, backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, it will highlight individuals from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and Commonwealth countries who experienced World War II.
Ming and Sarah chose to create a community-led piece based around Birmingham's residents and spent time gathering research by speaking to local groups such as the British Legion, the Boys' Brigade, veterans' clubs, memorial societies, day centres and Age Concern's Artscope.
Joyce Wallace, outreach officer for the Whose Story? project said: "The exhibition illustrates the diversity of not only those who fought in the war, but the people who were involved in a variety of other ways - from evacuees to munition assembly.
"It is an enlightening display, bringing to life the realities of people who have war experiences."
The exhibition includes 16 close-up portraits to reflect the fact that the people in the portraits had no representations of war such as uniforms or medals - just themselves.
The portraits will be displayed in the front windows and reception area of the back to backs until Sunday.
* Visitors must book in advance if they would like a tour of the houses. For more information, visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk/events or call 0121 666 7671.