ROYALISTS and Parliamentarian forces could be doing battle in Bradford on Avon again in three years’ time.

The English Civil War Society is holding talks with the town’s council to stage another re-enactment of the famous 1643 Battle of Bradford on Avon.

It could be a repeat of the event held on July 30 and 31 last year when Royalist forces battled Oliver Cromwell’s army for control of the town bridge.

Nearly 500 society members took up arms to recreate the 1643 skirmish on the town bridge between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians, before heading off for a full-scale battle at Poulton Recreation Field.

But councillors are anxious not to repeat the mistakes made at the last event, which cost more than £25,000 to stage.

They had hoped for up to 10,000 visitors to attend but they failed to materialise and produce a much-needed boost to trade for the town’s businesses.

Councillor Dominic Newton said: “We don’t want to be blindsided. The lessons learned should have been done a year ago by the last administration.”

Councillors are to invite event organiser Alistair North, of the English Civil War Society, to address a full town council meeting on September 11 to discuss in principle an event being held in 2020.