Tudor merriment arrives in Saffron Walden when a three-day feast of family entertainment takes centre stage on the common.

The event, organised by Market Square Group, is part of the town’s celebrations to commemorate 500 years since the granting of the 1514 charter by Henry VIII to the Guild of Holy Trinity.

A colourful Tudor-themed market – alongside a beer festival and other attractions – is being held from Friday to Sunday, May 9-11.

Stallholders decked out in medieval costume will be trading high quality edible treats, crafts and clothing – many of which would have been available during the period.

And a variety of entertainment is being staged throughout the three days for adults and children, including Tudor pottery demonstrations by Jim Newboult, who produces replica ceramics for museums, films and television, and fun and frolics provided by professional fool Devilstick Peat.

Market Square Group event co-ordinator Paul Kennedy said: “This is going to be a fantastic, fun event for the whole family, combined with great retail therapy for everybody to enjoy.

“The market is going to be covered to make it a realistic Tudor experience and there will be stalls serving a range of foods and drinks familiar to our ancestors from the period, including a hog roast and juicy venison sausages. There will be contemporary foods too.

“Other produce, including crafts and clothing, have been specifically selected for their materials that would have been available to craftsmen in Tudor times.”

Musical entertainment is being provided on the Saturday and Sunday by popular CoCo and the Butterfields, with their own unique fusion of folk, pop and hip hop.