Cheers to a great party!

The man behind the idea, the Mayor of Bolton, said he was delighted that thousands of visitors had joined in the town's biggest-ever birthday party, and said its success could lead to an annual celebration. The celebrations began on Friday night with a charity ball at the Reebok Stadium and ended yesterday evening with a candlelit procession to Bolton Parish Church for a service of thanksgiving. In between, on both Saturday and Sunday, crowds of shoppers flocked to a mediaeval outdoor market set up in Bolton's historic Churchgate in the town centre.

The events were held to mark the 750th anniversary of the granting of the Charter to Bolton that made it a free borough. The Mayor said: "It's been an absolutely fantastic weekend. We have had people from all over the North-west coming to visit the market.

"The event has been well received by the people of Bolton and many people have been asking if we will be celebrating Bolton's history in such a way in the future.

"I would be only too happy to support plans to celebrate the town's charter anniversary each year.

"This has been a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together and join in a celebration of Bolton and have a great weekend of fun.

"It was wonderful to see so many stalls -- and it was great to see so many stallholders dressed in costume."

Cllr Walsh, who was dressed in his flowing mayoral robes as he joined shoppers at the mediaeval market, added: "I would like to thank council officers who have been involved.

"I know there are certain people who have put in a lot of time and effort to make this a success."

As shoppers walked under the 30ft high, replica 12th-century archway erected at the top of Churchgate near the Market Cross, they walked straight into a mediaeval shopping and entertainment experience.

Traffic was kapt away and an array of colourful stalls filled the street, selling items as varied as rugs and carpets, clothes, herbal drinks and antique jewellery.

To add to the exciting atmosphere, street entertainers, including a juggler, a fire dancer and musicians, performed. Among the stallholders in costume were some dressed as monks, while many women dressed as mediaeval princesses, complete with floating veils.

On Saturday, Churchgate was packed, thanks to the fine weather. On Sunday, while rain meant smaller crowds, the fun continued. People came from all across the North-west to enjoy the events. In Victoria Square, a display of public service vehicles including vintage fire engines, buses and taxis from different decades, also drew hordes of visitors.

On Saturday, town crier Barry McQueen started the market celebrations with a fanfare on his posthorn and ringing a bell before announcing the opening of the market and calling for three cheers for Bolton.

John White had come from the Wirral to demonstrate his skill as a wood carver. Children were invited to have a go at making shapes using the tools of the wood carving trade -- a mallet and chisel.

Mr White, who has a workshop on a farm in the Wirral said: "I have brought with me a figurehead of a sea horse, made out of wood, for a ship.

"I've also got with me something that I am working on at the moment. I am currently making a fish - it will be a salmon."

Hand spinner Donna Hughes, from Bolton, fascinated visitors with her skills. She even brought along a wooden spinning wheel.

Volunteers from North-west Owl Rescue, based in Breightmet, fascinated people of all ages with the help of four owls they brought along. Youngsters were able to stroke the birds' feathers.

There was fairground fun, too, and throughout both days hot chestnuts, baked potatoes and black peas were on sale.

Among other attractions was a display of vintage vehicles in Victoria Square. The fire service displayed a range of different fire engines which are used today in Bolton.

A 1940 Dennis fire engine, normally kept in Greater Manchester Fire Brigade's Museum in Rochdale, was also on display.

Divisional Officer Bob Bonner said: "It's called a pump escape because it ha7s a pump and a big escape ladder. It's an older version of the fire engines we have today."

Four vintage buses -- all of which used to transport people around Bolton -- were also lined up on the Square.

John Sawyer of the Bolton Bus Group explained: "The oldest bus here today is a 1949 single decker. We've also brought along Bolton's first rear engine bus from 1963. Previously, the engine had been at the front."

Market visitor Donna Garland, from Bolton said she hoped the mediaeval market would become an annual event. I think it has been really good. I think they should have something like this every year," she said.

Marion Howarth, also from Bolton, said: "What I would like to see is the archway put up permanently. It would be wonderful if we could have it all the time, built out of stone.

"The event has been well received by the people of Bolton and many people have been asking if we will be celebrating Bolton's history in such a way in the future.

"I would be only too happy to support plans to celebrate the town's charter anniversary each year."

"This has been a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together and join in a celebration of Bolton and have a great weekend of fun.

"It was wonderful to see so many stalls -- and it was great to see so many stallholders dressed in costume."

Cllr Walsh, who was dressed in his flowing mayoral robes as he joined shoppers at the mediaeval market, added: "I would like to thank council officers who have been involved.

"I know there are certain people who have put in a lot of time and effort to make this a success."

As shoppers walked under the 30ft high, replica 12th-century archway erected at the top of Churchgate near the Market Cross, they walked straight into a mediaeval shopping and entertainment experience.

Traffic was kapt away and an array of colourful stalls filled the street, selling items as varied as rugs and carpets, clothes, herbal drinks and antique jewellery.

To add to the exciting atmosphere, street entertainers, including a juggler, a fire dancer and musicians, performed. Among the stallholders in costume were some dressed as monks, while many women dressed as mediaeval princesses, complete with floating veils.

On Saturday, Churchgate was packed, thanks to the fine weather. On Sunday, while rain meant smaller crowds, the fun continued. People came from all across the North.