SWORDS will clash and battle cries will be heard throughout Chippenham this weekend as the town will host its Medieval Day.

Previously held within the Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre, this year a tented medieval village will take shape in Market Place to encourage more people to attend the free event on Saturday (July 23).

The village will officially be opened by Chippenham Mayor Terry Gibson at 10.30am with medieval combat displays taking place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm by historical re-enactors from the Medieval Combat Society.

There will also be Morris dancing, displays of period objects, talks, walks and demonstrations throughout the day before the event finishes at 4pm.

Andrew Skelton, education officer for Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre, said: “This is the first time the town council are staging it outside the museum, we’ve previously held it for three years inside the museum.

“The last couple of times we have held the event it’s proven really popular and the council looking at it thought it was a really good attraction for the town.

“It will take place from the Buttercross up to the road so it’s not going to impact on the Saturday market.

“It should be absolutely wonderful, it shows what medieval life was like and we’re hoping for at least one thousand people on the day.”