CROWDS headed for Ripple on Sunday to catch some of the action when The Sealed Knot came to do battle.

The group recreated the sights and sounds of 1643, when the Parliamentarians and the Royalists fought at Ripple Hill.

Cannons, soldiers on horseback and authentic weaponry helped to make the event as realistic as possible.

It is the second year the group has re-enacted the event in the village, to raise funds for the refurbishment of Ripple Village Hall.

Village hall committee member Dorothy Marchant said it had been a great success with visitor numbers up 30 per cent on the previous year.

"The general feeling was that it went well. It looked very, very frightening at times and the children there seemed to be engrossed.

"As far as people coming, it was much better than last year and I think we'll have done quite well for the refurbishment project."

The committee has recently installed new toilets at the hall and hopes to repair and redecorate the building once enough money has been raised.