MARLBOROUGH will be the scene of battles and skirmishes from the 17th century English Civil War in July.

The town council has planned the two day event over the weekend of July 27-28, in Marlborough Under Attack . The conflict between parliament and the monarchy often portrayed as Roundheads against Cavaliers fought in the 1660s saw Marlborough in the thick of the war.

The event includes a battle both days, artillery demonstrations and living history in Priory Gardens. Around 1,000 soldiers are set to do battle again on Marlborough Common on both days at 3pm after the town council authorised £11,000 to stage the Civil War re-enactment at their meeting in January. Councillors agreed the event should go ahead with the council underwriting the weekend as it would thousands of visitors to the town and boost the image of Marlborough as a destination tourist attraction.