Becoming a market town is widely recognised as being the catalyst for Lavenham's rise to medieval prosperity and to mark the special occasion villagers will, this weekend, step back in time to 1257.

Lavenham's annual carnival, on Monday, will take on a 13th century theme with everyone attending urged to come dressed in the spirit of 1257.

The carnival procession will be led by a vanguard of mounted knights and a re-enactment will be staged.

Also on the bill is a bird of prey display, a rare breeds motor show, archery and plenty of stalls.

The market place will be transformed into a medieval thoroughfare complete with village stocks, a village rat catcher, musicians and mounted knights.

Historian Jane Gosling, who works at Lavenham Guildhall, said: "We don't know exactly what the market would have been like in 1257 but we know from research that butchers were sued for letting dogs run off with offal and traders were sued for letting their dung piles get to high.

"It would have a noisy, dirty and bustling market place – nothing like the salubrious Lavenham of today!"

The village has been celebrating the 750th anniversary of the market charter all year, commissioning, among other things, a 1257 beer.
But this weekend's events mark the culmination of celebrations.

The entertainment begins on Saturday with children's fun in the marquee, on the playing field off Bridge Street, between 10am and 1pm.

This is followed by music in the afternoon where food and drinks will be sold.

On Sunday evening, the Salvation Army Band will sing songs of praise in the marquee before the carnival wraps things up on Monday.