BROMSGROVE is set to turn the clock back to the days of Merrie England when the town stages its annual midsummer fair day pageant and Elizabethan street market.

More than 40 stalls, mostly raising cash for charities and with staff clad in period costume, are expected to line High Street for Saturday's market, which for the past 18 years has become a popular feature of the town's ancient fair day activities.

The town's Court Leet and Court Baron, led by Bailiff David Turner, of Finstall, will carry out ceremonies proclaiming the 1199 Royal Charter and the assize of bread, leather and ale.

To encourage stallholders to dress in mediaeval garb, Court Marketmaster Christopher Firminger, of Rock Hill, has maintained fees at their 2001 level but plans to impose a small surcharge on stallholders who turn up in modern dress.

Proceeds from stall fees will, as usual, be donated to Bromsgrove Hospital Carnival committee.

The Somers Cup will be presented to the winners of the best-dressed stall.

Members of the Court Leet, with representatives from neighbouring courts and other local organisations, will leave Perry Hall Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Kidderminster Road at 10.30 am.

The procession will proceed along Hanover Street and Worcester Road to High Street where a brief stop will be made at the Red Lion for the Court's ale taster to sample the brew on offer.

It will continue as far as the Strand, then return to the Housman statue, where the assize will take place at 11am.

At 11.45am, the Court will visit the street market and at 12.15pm reassemble to march to the Recreation Ground to walk the pleasure fair.

The procession will regroup at 1pm to head back to Perry Hall for lunch.

On Sunday, the Court and its guests will attend the annual Patronal Service in St John's Parish Church.