THE Mayor of Bolton today sent out this invitation to the people of the borough: "Come and join Bolton's biggest ever birthday party."

On Saturday and Sunday, Churchgate in the town centre will be the scene of a remarkable mediaeval market.

It is a highlight of Bolton's celebrations to mark the 750th anniversary of the granting of the Charter which made the town a free borough.

The market will feature more than 30 stalls selling pottery, antiques, linen and lace, textiles, crafts and home-made jams and cakes.

There will also be baked potatoes and hot chestnuts.

Jousting knights, strolling players and a fire dancer will be among a variety of entertainment on offer.

Visitors will be able to try their hand at traditional crafts, such as basket making. And there will be demonstrations of paper making, wood turning by "bodgers" and mediaeval coin making.

The road itself will be covered with sawdust to help add to the atmosphere of years gone by and many stallholders will be dressed in mediaeval costume.

There will also be stalls in Bolton Parish Church, selling mainly antiques and collectors items.

The Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, said: "This is a chance for the whole of Bolton to come and jon a big celebration of Bolton's 750th birthday.

"It will be the biggest event in the North West this weekend."

Street entertainment on both days at the market will include a Punch and Judy Show and there will be traditional funfair rides.

Two policemen dressed as old fashioned Peelers will be patrolling town centre streets.

And all this will take place against a backdrop of a mediaeval-style archway specially erected in Churchgate.

A horse drawn carriage will travel between Churchgate and Victoria Square where a vintage vehicle display is being held. Vintage taxis will be among the cars on show and fire engines past and present will be on view.

Bolton firefighters are taking along three different types of modern fire engines as well as a vintage engine.

Children will get the chance to see what it is like to be a firefighter, doing things like crawling through tubes, in an interactive exhibition in the Dido Suite in Bolton Town Hall.

Market trader Tim Cross, who has a stall in the Ashburner Street market, has played a key part in organising the mediaeval market with Bolton Council. He hopes it could become an annual event. He said: "We've been planning the celebrations since August. On the Market Cross in Churchgate, an inscription says that Bolton has got a good market and we want people to see that we still have a great market 750 years on."

Mr Cross's stall, called the Market Bazaar, will be selling fragrance.

The stalls will be covered so that in the event of bad weather, the enjoyment of the day will not be spoiled.

The Mayor said: "I am hoping thousands and thousands will come. It will be a wonderful day."

On Saturday there will also be a free park and ride service between Victoria Square and the Reebok Stadium where there will be a spectacular floral arts display in the Lion of Vienna Suite.