ON Bank Holiday Monday Malmesbury will take a step back into medieval times, as the much-loved St Aldhelm’s Fair returns to the town.

The event is a celebration of the life of the most influential Saint in the early medieval West Country.

A poet and scholar, St Aldhelm also established the first abbey in Malmesbury and was Bishop of Sherbourne.

During the fair residents will be able to pay a free visit to the Athelstan Museum where they will find an exhibition dedicated to St Aldhelm and many other artefacts of interest.

From 10.30am-2.30pm people can take a step back to medieval times in the Cloister Gardens with the Companions of the Longbow.

There they will be able to have a go on a longbow and try on some medieval armour for a taste of life for a medieval soldier.

Also taking place in the Cloister Gardens are various craft workshops for children to take part in including sword-making for the adventurous and head-dress-making for the creative.

Malmesbury’s new mayor will officially open proceedings at 10.30am in the Market Cross, shortly followed by the Malmesbury Morris Dancers.

There will be a variety of stalls on offer and an owl sanctuary, as well as a BBQ at Leonard Walker Butchers.

St Aldhelm’s Church with the support of Malmesbury Churches Together will be holding a flower Festival from 10.30am-2.30pm and refreshments will be available.

St Aldhelm’s Church is located in the Cross Hayes as is the Tourist Information Centre who will be able to direct to any of these places.