Romans do battle at holiday festival

A grand parade will start both days progressing to the festival site from the centre of the town, where there will be javelin throwing and drills by gladiators and legionnaires, and fashion displays of period costume.

Children will relive Roman life by demonstrating crafts from the era. The finale will be a battle staged between the invading 9th Legion and warring Britons, with a display of historic weapons.

Vicus, a living history group, will be hosting a full programme of satellite events, demonstrations of archery, Roman cookery, make-up and hair styling. Highlights include a re-creation of a Bronze Age hunter-gatherer camp.

Organiser Graham Harris said: "It will be a tremendously exciting day out for all the family as we will be seeing British warriors, Roman legionnaires, auxiliary soldiers, weapons and armoury all in this first time ever festival."