HUNDREDS of people flooded the High Street of Marlborough over the weekend to enjoy the bright lights of this year’s first Marlborough Mop fair.

Opened by Mayor of Marlborough Noel Barrett-Morton on Saturday (October 8) at midday, families flocked to the centre of Marlborough to enjoy the rides set up by the Showman’s Guild.

Shelley Parker, Marlborough town clerk, said: “As expected, another enjoyable Mop Fair. Our Mayor officially opened the 2016 fairs and our Town Cryer read out the proclamation and extremely entertainingly. The Mayor then moved around the fair trying out a couple of rides and even won a prize on one of the side stalls. In true Pied Piper of Hamelin style, children followed the Mayor and were given free rides – another long held Marlborough tradition.

“The Showmen’s Guild is working with a new contractor this year and things during the set up and clear-up all seemed to have run very smoothly. The Guild work professionally to an event management plan and stringent H&S checks.”

The Mop Fair, which has been a popular event in the town’s calendar for over 800 years now, dates back to 1204 after King John granted the town’s charter. Originally used as a fair for domestic and agricultural workers to find jobs, the fair has grown into the spectacle it is today.

Billy Whitelegg, 86, of Nursteed Road in Devizes, member of the Showmen's Guild, said: "A lot of work goes into the Mop Fair, this year was the first time we had Nigel Grist from Grist Environmental doing the clear up and they did a wonderful job. The road closures for this week's Mop will be taking place from midday on Friday, we will start work from 2pm and will carry on until 11pm."

The second Mop fair will be taking place this weekend (Saturday October 15 and Sunday October 16) with the road closures starting from midday on Friday (October 14) from midday.