A BEWDLEY animal lover will be raising money to help feed the town's swans at a medieval extravaganza on Saturday.

Lynne Shaw, who has been feeding the swans that live along the Bewdley stretch of the River Severn for four years, has organised the first Bewdley Medieval Swan Fair.

Money raised by the event will help to pay for the swans' food and their vet bills when they need treatment.

Mrs Shaw, who lives off Acacia Avenue, has set up Swan Welfare and Nutrition with her husband, Bryan and friend, Kay Bamford-Burnell and feeds the flock of 150 swans four buckets of wheat, twice a day.

It costs £1,000 for 10 tonnes of wheat, which lasts four months and previous fund-raising events have included garden parties and Christmas markets.

She said she "fell in love" with the swans when she moved to Bewdley 12 years ago, adding: "I just love animals and they are beautiful creatures."

Mrs Shaw said she hoped they would raise "hundreds of pounds", adding: "We want as many people to come and join in as possible."

It will be held at Meg's Meadow, near Bewdley Rowing Club and will be opened by Bewdley mayor, Liz Davies and mayoress, Anne Mace at 10.30am.

The 13th century living history group, Drudion, will be showing visitors how people in medieval times used to live.

There will also be children's entertainment, including a Punch and Judy show, displays by Morris dancers and fire-eaters and a skittle alley.

The mayor will be judging two competitions on the day, one for best dressed girl and boy and one for the best model of a swan.

There will be a park and ride operating from Bewdley High School to Meg's Meadow, which will be available from 10am until 6pm.