REVELLERS will be transported back in time at the weekend when Churchgate becomes the venue for a mediaeval fair.

More than 30 stalls will line the street and the road itself will be covered with sawdust on Saturday and Sunday to help to add to the atmosphere of years gone by.

The market is being staged as part of the celebrations marking the 750th anniversary of the granting of Bolton's charter.

Many of the stallholders will dress in period costume selling a range of wares including pottery, antiques, linen and lace, textiles, crafts, carpets, home made jams and cakes, jewellery, baked potatoes, hot chestnuts and toys. Strolling players will mingle with the crowds and there will be a variety of demonstrations, including paper making, wood turning by "bodgers" -- as they were known -- and mediaeval coin making.

Fun is promised for all the family with traditional funfair rides with carousels and swing boats for the children.

Face painters will be on hand, non-alcoholic punch will be served and as darkness falls "fire dancers" will entertain the crowd with fire from the top of the mediaeval style archway.

Blackpool's town crier Barry McQueen will announce the official opening of the market at 9am on Saturday.

Staff at the Man and Scythe pub will don period costumes and the pub's landlord John Jewitt will open for business as soon as the fair opens at 9am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.

Mr McQueen will visit the pub to give his seal of approval to the ale -- a tradition carried out by town criers prior to 1540.

Mr Jewitt said: "It's going to be a very memorable two days."

The Tapestry of Music group will appear as strolling players and accordion and euphonium player Mel Ascroft will also entertain visitors.

Punch and Judy shows will also be held to delight the children and at 11.30am on Saturday and Sunday there will be a peel of bells, lasting for 30 minutes, from Bolton Parish Church.

The Rev Michael Williams, Vicar of Bolton, said: "It's a wonderful occasion for Bolton. I'm very much looking forward to it."

The Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, will sign and seal copies of the Charter in the front room of the Man and Scythe.

Staff from the Bolton Evening News will join in the fun, also dressed in period costumes, distributing balloons, bunting, copies of the Charter, Looking Back tea towels and mulled wine.

Don't miss the Bolton Evening News Charter celebrations souvenir edition on Saturday. Order your copy now.

Click here Celebrating 750 years of Bolton life for all our reports on the charter celebrations