THE Chipping Sodbury Mop Fair is set to take over the town as the biannual event returns later this week.

The popular fair will take over Broad Street on Friday, September 25 (6-10pm) and Saturday, September 26 (2-10pm) offering the usual fairground rides, stalls and shows to the public.

The fair is steeped in tradition and was originally started in the 12th century by the founder of Chipping Sodbury, William Crassus, who used it as a way of finding new labourers to work the land each season.

Rob Creer, markets committee member on Sodbury Town Council, said: "The mop fair has been a tradition for centuries and now provides a great fun fair for all the family right in the heart of Chipping Sodbury."

During the fair Broad Street and part of Wickwar Road will be closed to traffic. Diversions will take drivers around St John’s Way, Hatters Lane and Horse Street.