Chippenham will return to the era of the penny-farthing this Saturday at the town's Victorian fayre.

The event takes place in Market Place from 10am to 3pm, with all Wiltshire Council-run car parks in the town free on the day.

The winners of the great Christmas Victorian bake and the town crier competition will also be revealed at midday.

Street entertainers in high collars and swollen skirts will be showing off the Victorian bicycle craze that helped to liberate women from corsets.

The bicycle with two wheels the same size, rather than the larger wheel at the front, was invented in 1889 to protect ladies’ modesty as they would be able to ride with a long skirt.

Carol singers will also be bringing festive cheer to the town centre on Saturday and there will be a hog roast, willow weaving, skittles, fair organ and Punch and Judy shows.

Both adults and children will be competing in the Victorian bake, a cake decorating competition sponsored by Caffe Mi.

And a town crier will be chosen from competitors giving three minute cry on the merits of Chippenham, with mayor Sylvia Gibson and Chippenham Town Council donating a hand bell and full robes for the event.

Wiltshire and town councillor Peter Hutton said: “I am delighted we have managed to repeat this event from last year.

"It’s a great opportunity for the community to get involved, come along and see the side shows, look at the stalls, listen to the carol singers and take part in the cake bake-off.

“This also highlights the value of partnership working, whereby the town council has organised the event and Wiltshire Council has repeated its gesture from last year by offering free parking on the day.

“I look forward to seeing many people on the day.”