A RECORD-BREAKING reenactment of the Battle of Nantwich saw the clock turned back more than 350 years on Saturday as the Cavaliers were conquered by Roundheads.

Hundreds of fighting men died in January 1644 as the Parliamentarians, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax, lifted the Royalist siege of the town, ordered by Lord Byron, in the Battle of Nantwich.

This time there was no bloodshed - apart from the odd scratch or two - as hundreds of Sealed Knot soldiers staged a realistic skirmish on Mill Island.

Cannon and musket fire rang out as they engaged in battle with their pikes and swords, roared on by an enthusiastic crowd of almost 3,000.

Colin Bisset, of Willaston, who is Sealed Knot Chief of Staff of the King's Tercio, praised his members for their efforts. He said: 'We had members from as far as Scotland, South Wales, Yorkshire and Wiltshire come to Nantwich for this historic battle.

'People travel so far because they enjoy the event so much. It was so well attended, I don't think I have seen so many people in the town before.'

Each year since the early 1970s the battle has been reenacted on Holly Holy Day - named because to celebrate their liberation townfolk were said to have worn a sprig of holly in their caps.

Earlier, the streets were lined with onlookers as the troops marched through town from Malbank School where they had stayed overnight.

The town square was packed as the colourfully clad regiments were inspected and wreaths were laid at the war memorial by the Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich Maureen Grant, Nantwich Town Council chairman Jean Pearson, representatives of the Sealed Knot, and Andrew Gillitt, a founder member of Nantwich Historical Society.

The day included a production by Nantwich Players who marched a 'miscreant' to the stocks in Pillory Street where he was pelted with old cabbages.

A rosebowl for the most impressive regiment in marching, drill and on the battlefield was presented to the King's Lifeguard of Foote, before the troops returned to Malbank School for soup, bread rolls and cheese and beer as a reward.

A banquet was later held at the Crown Hotel. The occasion was organised by Nantwich Holly Holy Day Committee whose chairman, Melvyn Reynolds, said: 'It was a terrific day and there was a record attendance of close to 3,000.

'The battle was quite a spectacle with big bangs, colour and shouting with around 400 people fighting.

'We had collection boxes out for our charity, Cancer Research UK and raised £642.85.'