A RECORD number of attendees including visitors from abroad descended on a popular county event over the weekend.

According to the organisers of The annual Medieval Market and High Medieval Living History Camp in Evesham, a record 25,000 people made their way to the event this year.

The event attracted visitors, traders and re-enactors from all over the UK and countries such as Canada, the USA and a host of European countries.

Over the weekend, Evesham town centre was invaded by Vikings, thirteenth-century soldiers and knights in full armour.

There were also over 100 artisan food and drink stalls, along with local community and charity stalls.

READ MORE: Photos from day one of the Evesham Medieval Market

Mick Hurst, director of the event, said: "We seem to have tapped into something that catches the imagination – combining education and entertainment, and making the most of Evesham’s fantastic heritage. 

He continued: "This May Medieval Market was started in lockdown only two years ago, and now is attracting visitors from all over the place – for instance, the family from Canada who saw the market on Facebook and decided to fly over to England for a holiday in South Worcestershire – with our Market as the highlight.

‘What we have created here, is something that is good for the town and town centre businesses, good for residents who can walk to the free-to-enter event, and a great feeling for the 30+ volunteers who make it all work.

"Some provide a couple of hours helping on the event days, through to others really getting stuck in all year around, providing them with a rewarding hobby.

"The proof is seeing thousands of smiling faces at our four major annual events we now run here in the heart of Evesham."

The next event on the calendar is the Battle of Evesham Festival, held on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6.

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The event gathers an estimated 35,000 visitors and is thought to be Europe’s third largest medieval battle re-enactment.

To get involved with volunteering or if you are a business that would like to be associated with the event, you can contact Mick Hurst by emailing mick@battleofevesham.co.uk.