Sherborne's Pack Monday Fair attracts thousands

Thousands of people have stepped out to attend one of the UK's last remaining street fairs.

Sherborne's Pack Monday, which also features live music and a funfair, dates back to medieval times.

It is held in the Dorset town on the first Monday after Old Michaelmas Day.

Old Michaelmas Day, which falls on 10 October, traditionally marks the feast of St Michael the Archangel and is associated with the beginning of autumn.

Known in other parts of the country as Mop Fairs or Hiring Fairs, the annual gathering in Sherborne came to be known as a Pack Fair, which is thought to have come from the word "pact".

The fair, which runs until 21:00 BST, comprises a traditional street fair with market and craft stalls in the town's four main streets - The Green, Cheap Street, Half Moon Street and Digby Road, with live music in Pageant Gardens and a funfair at The Terraces, which started on Thursday.

Jules Bradburn, who runs the event, said it was "absolutely fully booked" with more than 300 traders.

Sherborne Abbey is also holding a series of events throughout the day, including an organ recital and Pack Monday service, while Sherborne museum has a display charting the history of the fair.

At midnight on Sunday, an annual procession was held through the town by "Teddy Roe's Band", a group of locals making as much noise as possible by blowing horns and whistles.

The band dates to 1490 when repair work to Sherborne Abbey was completed, overseen by foreman Teddy Roe, after it was damaged by fire.

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