WILTSHIRE'S young people have been helping to decorate puppet barons to be carried through the streets of Salisbury as part of the Magna Carta celebrations on Monday evening.

Thousands are expected to descend upon Salisbury for the once-in-a-lifetime pageant, organised by Wiltshire Council, to celebrate the birth of the nation's present day liberties, 800 years on from the sealing of the Magna Carta.

The celebrations mark eight centuries to the day since King John met the group of rebel barons at Runnymede and agreed to a series of promises for new civic liberties. The spirits of the barons will be reborn as larger-than-life puppets, commissioned by Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, to be paraded from the Market Square to the cathedral.

Last Wednesday youngsters at Devizes Youth Club, with the assistance of Geraldine Francis from Fired Thoughts gallery and volunteer youth leader Jack Oatley, started to bring their one to life. Mr Oatley said: "Everyone is excited about being involved."

At Frogwell Primary School in Chippenham, 29 children have decorated the Chippenham baron with a red cloak.

The eight to 10-year-olds were assisted by Andrew Skelton, learning and outreach officer at Chippenham Museum, who said: “Each child has made a felt shield to decorate the baron with some significance to the Magna Carta but also to Chippenham. They’re all really excited about taking part.”

The pupils and 1st Chippenham Guides will be part of the procession while the baron will be carried by Chippenham Street Pastors.

The procession will enter Blue Boar Row at 7.45pm before leaving the Market Place shortly after 8pm.

Jane Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: "The sealing of the Magna Carta marked a watershed in our place as ordinary British subjects ultimately it sparked our parliamentary democracy and rule of law, but it also stands out as the first time the people of this nation had their voices heard.

"Communities from across the county are getting right behind this event, involving schools, young people and local groups, and it really does promise to be an extraordinary pageant."

In Calne, young people from John Bentley School and the Calne LYN (Local Youth Network) have been working on a modern reimagining of William de Cantilupe, King John’s enforcer.

Community area manager Jane Vaughan said: "The area board and Calne young people have affectionately dubbed their baron Billy the Melon and he will be accompanied by the young people from the Calne LYN and John Bentley School."

People in Malmesbury are preparing their contribution by designing a cloak for their baron to include numerous references to the town’s history.

The Very Rev June Osborne, Dean of Salisbury, said: "As we celebrate with members of the community and visitors, we should remember what this day is all about justice, equality, fairness and compassion such values the church, national and local government should celebrate and share."

Decorating Marlborough area's baron figure, called Merlin as none of the 25 Barons heralded from Marlborough, are seven visual arts students from St John's Academy.

The puppet will have long grey hair and a blue cloak decorated with stars and moons. Pewsey-based Kaya Drums and a group from the 2nd Marlborough Scout Troop will also be taking part in the parade.

At the procession's conclusion dignitaries will sign a new Magna Carta statement for Wiltshire in the 21st Century.