A VILLAGE'S 17th Century fair will be launched tonight (July 4) through the recreation of a church spire using lasers.

The fair will be held from tonight until Sunday (July 6) and will involve a variety of activities on each of the days.

Tonight, laser technology will recreate St Mary's church spire, which will start at about 10pm. The original spire was struck down by lightening in 1670 and again in 1671, after which the village abandoned re-building the spire.

Tomorrow, about 120 to 200 members of the Sealed Knot will dress in period costume and set up a full scale Civil War camp in the village as a living history centre.

There will also be drills on the village green and tours of Westbury and Devizes to drum up support before the battle in the events arena at 2.30pm on Sunday. There will be a 17th Century banquet on Saturday evening. The village's High Street will be closed to traffic from 9am to 4.30pm on Sunday to hold a Wiltshire farmers market.

There will also be arts and crafts stalls, demonstrations of rural skills, falconry and archery demonstrations, hog roasts, a beer fest, a tug-of-war competition and clog dancing.

There will also be a costume competition for children and an activity centre. Lead organiser of the event Jo Campbell said: "We are mobilising the whole village to put on what we expect to be the most spectacular event of its kind in the West Country this year.

"We expect that everyone in the village will enter the 17th century spirit and dress up in Stuart costume.

"We hope to draw visitors to the village from a very wide area."

It is hoped the event will raise about £20,000, which will go towards the restoration of the church. For more details contact Jo Campbell on 01380 871171 or email robbiejocampbell@btinternet.com