CROWDS gathered at Lydiard Park this weekend to enjoy a craft fair with a special historical significance.

The Love Lydiard craft fair, featured stalls, a barbecue and historical re-enactment from newly-formed Wiltshire acting troop, Team Infinity who took inspiration from life at Lydiard in the mid-Georgian era.

Actors stepped back into the mid Georgian era with an anti-slavery protest which featured a scarred hermit handing out blood-stained white roses to onlookers, vicar Able Clark spurring his protestors on and a loyal band of followers.

Leader of Team Infinity, professional actor Samuel Vaughan from Old Town said the day had been a huge success.

“It’s amazing to be here today, you really do feel like you’ve stepped back in time," he said.

“The response has been amazing, we’ve had lots of people come and join us in our march and get really into it.

“We’re staying in character today and we’ve been rehearsing quite a bit. We want it to be as spontaneous as possible so people feel like they’ve been transported back to mid Georgian times.”

A team of 40 volunteers also took in turns to don three cornered hats, sack-back dresses and tailcoats, with all clothing hand-crafted from duvet covers and curtains in an eight-month labour of love.

During the day, the lady of the house could be seen wandering the grounds and the head cook was spotted entering the ice house to get some fish.

The fair was designed to encourage crafty town residents to get involved in knitting, sewing, woodwork, jewellery, board games and clothing design.

Visitors also had the chance to peruse a number of intricately crafted goods including bespoke wooden rocking horses, reindeer jewellery and hand-stitched leather handbags.