LEOMINSTER will step back in time again later this month to see how people lived, played and fought in the 15th century.

The town's Medieval Pageant returns for a second year and will once again be free entry for all.

It celebrates Leominster’s rich history with a particular focus on the Wars of the Roses period but in the guise of a medieval town carnival.

There will be a number of activities taking place throughout the weekend, including demonstrations and displays, living history, the ‘Leominster Skirmish’, town procession, dance, music and medieval style market.

Qualified outdoor instructors will provide children with tuition on basic bushcraft and climbing skills.

There is the opportunity to scale the castle wall, learn how to build shelters, light a camp fire and cook on it.

For dog lovers there are two days of dog shows on the Grange with a “medieval” dog show on the Sunday, organised by Hereford and Worcester Animal Rescue

The Priory Café will be open on both days serving local produce, lunches and cream teas but there will also be a beer tent and hog roast.

The Pageant takes place on the site of Leominster's old Monastery which can be found by heading for the Priory Church.

The procession starts at 10am on Saturday June 18 starting from the church, before going around the Grange, across the square and into High Street, down and then back up Broad Street, along Church Street finishing at Pinsley Mead.

This year the Pageant commemorates the events of 1459 and the Rout of Ludford Bridge.

Reluctant to openly engage Henry VI’s Lancastrian army, the Yorkist forces fell back through Ledbury to Leominster harassing and ambushing the royalists who countered with probing attacks south of Leominster, through the town and onto the Luston road leading to Richard’s Castle and Ludford Bridge.

The Leominster Skirmish at the Pageant recreates a snapshot of the action.

The Rout of Ludford Bridge nearly broke the regal aspirations of the House of York.

The Leominster area saw another major engagement in 1461 with the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross which was a precursor to the Duke of York claiming the throne as Edward IV.

Organiser, David Fitzcourt, said: "Bring family and friends and step back with well-respected re-enactors to 1459, a tumultuous year in which emotions boiled over and cousins went to war to secure the English throne."

The pageant takes place over the weekend of June 18 and 19.

For more information visit leominstermedievalpageant.co.uk or contact David or Jan at Survive & Thrive on Broad Street, Leominster or call 01568 620000.

For details of the dog shows, contact Hereford and Worcester Animal Rescue.