SOLDIERS clashed on the grass of The Green in Calne over the weekend as re-enactors gathered for the annual St George's Day medieval fair.

More than a thousand people made their way to the battleground over the weekend for the medieval event, which was organised by the Bodrugan Household and sponsored by the White Hart, to celebrate the history behind England's patron saint.

"We are extremely impressed with how the weekend went," Bodrugan Household re-enactor and public relations officer Mike Seymour said. "The public were absolutely amazing and of course it was a luxury for us to receive the hospitality from David and Rebecca Leaning at the White Hart.

"It was a really good event and thoroughly enjoyable because the kids got involved and tried on bits of armour and lots of people were asking questions about the history which we were able to answer.

"It was just an unbelievable weekend and we are already making plans for next year and hopefully we can make it bigger and better."

A living history group also invited visitors to experience what it was like to live in medieval times with tasting sessions and games such as ferret racing.

Rebecca Leaning of the White Hart said: "I think it is amazing for a small town to put on something so authentic. We had real men in real armour whacking each other with swords and it just went really well.

"The court jester told me there were definitely more people here than last year and lots of people who came on the Saturday came back on Sunday with more people which is fantastic."

The White Hart and Calne Rotary, who provided catering during the weekend, will be donating £334 of their profits to the Calne War Memorial Fund.