BROMSGROVE will take a big step back in time this Saturday, June 23, when the town stages its annual Elizabethan street market and midsummer fair day activities.

The Court Leet's new Marketmaster, financial advisor Chris Firminger, from Rock Hill, says there will 45 stalls set out in High Street selling a wide variety of goods from pictures to plants and cakes to collectibles.

"It is my first year in charge of the market, so I am hoping for a fine day, the usual good support from townsfolk and that stallholders enter into the spirit of the event by wearing appropriate Elizabethan costumes," he said.

David Turner, from Finstall, has organised the last 16 markets which have become an established and popular feature of the Court Leet's ancient fair day pageant and assize of ale, bread and leather.

David stepped down on becoming the Reeve last autumn.

The day begins with Bailiff Adrian Powell and Court members clad in their colourful regalia, headed by Rubery Youth Marching Band, setting off from the Jarvis Perry Hall Hotel, in Kidderminster Road, at 10.30am.

They will proceed along Hanover Street and Worcester Road to High Street, stopping briefly for refreshments at the Red Lion pub.

It is then on to the Strand before returning to Chapel Street precinct for the proclamation of the ancient 1199 charter granting Bromsgrove a midsummer fair, and the assize at 11am.

At 11.45am members of the Court will tour the street market.

The procession will re-assemble at 12.15pm and march to the pleasure fair on Recreation Ground.

At 1pm the court will leave the fair and head back to Perry Hall from where members will travel to Guesten Hall, at Avoncroft Museum, in Stoke Heath, for lunch.