A MEDIEVAL jousting fayre will take place in Hedingham Castle grounds on the last weekend of August.

The Riders of Destrier, a cavalry re-enactment group, will visit the grounds for a weekend to duel in front of the public.

There will also be have-a-go archery, maypole dancing, coconut shies and donkey rides in this family friendly summer holiday fayre.

Around the main arena, there will also be falconry displays, period musicians, and a jester, hoping to be Hedingham Castle’s biggest event of the year with around 10,000 people set to attend.

A real ale bar will also be available for the duration of the day.

A spokesman for The Riders of Destrier group said this would not be a display like any other.

He said: “Displays of historically accurate 15th century cavalry remain exceedingly rare, as do display teams able to provide mounted knights of this period within a real high-quality show.

“The reason for this lies in the level of difficulty.

“Riding a horse in real steel armour requires excellent horsemanship, physical fitness, a very well-crafted and tightly fitting harness of armour, a specially trained horse, months of training, and considerable courage.

“The combination of these skills and assets, and their application in a show providing both exhilarating entertainment and informative education is what we at Destrier do.

“We’re really looking forward to what will be a fun packed, family friendly and educational event.

“We’d like to demonstrate the fun and excitement of these events and the appeal for medieval people at the time, as many people will see for themselves.”

The event will run from Sunday August 27 and Monday 28, with the event being perfect for families or children who have time off for the summer holidays.

A family ticket for the event costs £42, but includes up to four people.

Separate adult tickets cost £14 each and over 65s £12.50.

A child’s ticket costs £10 and children under 5 go free.