In other words … the Shanty Town Breakers CB radio club is having a reunion. Get there fast but don't collect a speeding ticket on the way. Pass it on.

Back in the early 1980s the airwaves round Sudbury were buzzing as the craze for citizens' band radio started by US truckers found its way to Suffolk.

It brought its own language of codes and numbers. Ten-four meant OK, a jam sandwich was a police traffic car and its occupants smokey bears.

And at first there was an added thrill – broadcasting on the AM band was illegal.

In a few years Sudbury's Shanty Town Breakers grew from a few fans meeting in a car park to a major force in community events and charity fundraising.

But by the 1990s it was all over. Members stopped being White Raven or The Lodger or a host of other exotic "handles" and went back to the names on their birth certificates.

Now, almost 20 years after their channels fell silent, a call has gone out for those ex-breakers to get together again.

A reunion has been organised at the Cock and Bell in Long Melford on Saturday, July 5, from 7.30pm.

Former chairman Peter Reynolds – aka White Raven – and ex-committee members want as many old friends as possible to join them and celebrate the good times.

"I hope this will be seen as a celebration of the good that a club such as the Shanty Town Breakers can do," said Peter.

One of the organisers David Sinclair, alias The Lodger, said all ex-members, families, friends and associates would be welcome.

A video wall plus karaoke will help transport them back to the 80s, said David, 42, who used to live in Great Cornard and still drives trucks for a living.

"We know some members have moved away, and some sadly are no longer with us. But we would love as many as possible to be there to share their memories.

"It would also be great if they can bring their own photo albums for people to see," he said.

Business men and women, lorry drivers and housewives were among the club's members.

By 1982 they were busy fundraising and organising events like the first Great Cornard carnival, which raised well over £1,000.

Later that year they took 60 children on an outing to Butlins.

They raised money for a cot death charity after a member's baby tragically died, and also supported Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Children's parties were staged at Christmas and Easter and members enjoyed numerous trips out including one to the Edinburgh Tattoo.

Some also gave up their time to monitor Channel 9, the CB emergency channel.

Ironically, David believes legalisation which switched CB from AM to FM was the beginning of the end.

"It only transmitted over short distances.