FROM battles between knights of the realm, to ferret racing displays and a jester school for youngsters, Calne was thrust back 1,000 years in its very own medieval St George’s Day celebration.

Almost 1,000 people turned out for Saturday’s festivities to watch battalions of knights fight it out while court jester Devilstick Peat entertained crowds around the arena.

The six hour display, put on by The White Hart Inn, was the first of its kind for the pub, which hopes to one day make the battle an annual event in the town’s calendar.

Owner of The White Hart Inn, Rebecca Leaning, said: “It was really good. I had three different councillors ask me if we were going to do it again next year which is always a good sign.

“It is the first time that we have put anything on like this. I bet nowhere in Wiltshire has done anything similar to this for St George's Day. I remember giving out at least 144 free St George's flags on the day. It was great."

The event, which took six months to plan could only go ahead after Calne Town Council allowed the hotel use of the town's green.

Mrs Leaning added: “It was very nice of the town council to allow us to use the green and we have also had great support from a group of volunteers.

“Medieval history is just fun. It is really nice to step out of yourself for a week or two and enjoy it. Maybe to do it just for a weekend and it can really relax you.

“The people enjoy it and they all have sword fighting practice. Before you are even allowed to get involved you have to be qualified. They have got together once a month to practice.

“The jester is great, amazing. He can do things with ping pong balls that you cannot imagine. He can swallow them. He will stand there and swallow one and then go on swallowing them one after the other.

“This was just a one off thing that could turn into an annual event.”