A MAJOR battle in local Saxon history was marked in Chippenham with a special living history demonstration.

Visitors to Chippenham Museum's Twelfth Night Celebration of the Battle of Chippenham in 878 were able to try on some of the Saxon's shields for size on Saturday.

Saxon re-enactor Mark Routledge showed off his weapons and demonstrated how to light fires, while food historian Lucy Whitfield taught guests how to cook cabbage and herb soup and honey cakes.

Author Geoff Hill also read passages from his Draugr series books, about how the Vikings inspired the North's attack on Chippenham and archaeologist Clive Green, who has been part of the digs in and around Chippenham, gave a talk on their findings.

"The event helped celebrate one of the major historical events in Chippenham when King Alfred the Great came to the town in 878 to celebrate Christmas and reassert his kingship," Andrew Skelton, the learning and outreach officer at Chippenham Museum, said.

"While he was here, Guthrum, who was the leader of the Great North Army, attacked with an estimated 4,000 soldiers in the Battle of Chippenham, but Alfred escaped and returned in the Spring in the Battle of Edington to drive them out of Wessex.

"We were really pleased with how it went. We had over 200 people join our speakers for the day to learn all about this historical moment.

"For me though, the highlight had to be seeing the buzz around the Museum. About mid-morning, we were packed and that was the perfect end for me."

The event was so successful that the Museum is now looking to make it an annual event, which they can scale up in the future.

Mr Skelton added: "This was the first time that we have run the event and we are looking forward to building upon its success every January."