THE annual May Fair has returned to Hereford this week with plenty of thrilling rides and food stalls on offer. 

The three-day event kicked off on Tuesday (May 2) with a ceremonial proclamation of the historic St Ethelbert's May Fair.

This is when the Mayor of Hereford offers 12-and-a-half bushels of wheat to the Lord Bishop as payment for allowing the fair to proceed. The fair will close at 11pm tomorrow (Thursday).

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From traditional rides like the dodgems and spinning teacups to more thrilling ones like the waltzers, there is something for everyone.

There is also a chance for children and adults with disabilities and special needs to experience the fair tomorrow (Thursday) and enjoy free rides and candy floss. To take part, people are asked to meet at the bull statue in High Town at 10.30am.

Drivers are reminded that several streets in the city are closed while the fair is on.

This includes Broad Street (from its junction with West-East Street to its junction with King Street), King Street (from its junction with Broad Street to its junction with St Nicholas Street/Bridge Street), Bridge Street (from its junction with St Nicholas Street to its junction with Gwynne Street), St Owen Street (from its junction with St Peter’s Square to its junction with St Ethelbert Street), St Nicholas Street (from its junction with Bridge Street/King Street to its junction with Berrington Street) High Town, Commercial Street and St Peter’s Street.

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In addition, Widemarsh Street (from its junction with Blueschool/Newmarket Street) and High Street is closed to traffic from 4.30 pm to 11pm to make High Street a safer pedestrian area for fair goers.

Meanwhile, the southern end of Berrington Street is two-way between St Nicholas Street and Little Berrington Street and motorists are asked to take extra care if using this route. All of Gwynne Street will be two-way.

However, having the fair in the city centre does cause problems for some businesses, with two deciding to close until Friday.

Café Miró, in St Owen Street, said it had no choice but to close due to no access to the street, and there being a giant bungee rope outside, Meanwhile, Enchanted Tea House in Broad Street is also closed while the fair is on, saying it will reopen at 11.30am tomorrow (Friday).