HUNDREDS of people are expected to take to the streets of Marlborough this weekend to enjoy this year's first Mop Fair.

Now in its 813th year, the fair will start setting up from midday on Friday (October 7) closing the High Street until the early hours of Sunday morning (October 9).

The official opening ceremony will be taking place on Saturday (September 8) when Mayor of Marlborough Noel Barrett-Morton will announce the start of this year’s fair outside of the Castle and Ball Hotel at midday.

Ian Philpott, 47, of Barton Park, a Marlborough Mop Fair historian, said: “The Mop fair dates back to 1204 after King John granted the town’s charter, in 2004 we celebrated the 800th anniversary of the Mop fairs, both of which fall on the Saturdays either side of Old Michaelmas Day on the October 11.

“The mayor will be opening the fair and there will also be dignitaries from the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain as well as town councillors. The Mop has always been a very big community event which draws most of the local people to it, it’s one of the occasions when the whole town comes together.”

The second Mop Fair will be taking place next weekend (October 15-16) with the road closures taking place over the same times as this weekend.

Shelley Parker, Marlborough town clerk, said: "The town council is looking forward to this year’s Mop Fairs, an important part of Marlborough’s history and traditions. The road closures start at midday on both Friday October 7 and Friday October 14 and run through to 8am on the Sunday. On both those Fridays, ahead of the set up for the fair itself, there will be no charges for parking along the centre of the High Street until 12pm when the closure starts, so something for shoppers. All other parking restrictions will apply."