The first Battle of Evesham event this year has been hailed a huge success with more people than ever before turning out to watch the re-enactments.

The Medieval Market drew crowds of over 30,000 to Evesham town centre which has broken all previous attendance records. 

Visitors enjoyed basking in the sun as 150 re-enactors battled it out in Abbey Park. 

Evesham Journal: Over 30,000 people came to Evesham Over 30,000 people came to Evesham (Image: Battle of Evesham)

Mick Hurst, director for the Battle of Evesham, said: "We had over 30,000 visitors across the two days. 

"It's a record for anything Evesham, it was phenomenal, the place was humming and buzzing.

"I spoke to one pub and they had run out of beer by midday and had to go and get some more.

"The weather made all the difference, it was glorious and brought the public out, if it had been raining we would be having a completely different conversation. 

"We also reached over 1.1 million users on Facebook."

Craft traders were in the market square selling a range of items including swords, helmets and clothing. 

Evesham Journal: Craft traders Craft traders (Image: Battle of Evesham)

St Lawrence's church hosted 32 stalls with charities and local community groups.

Mr Hurst continued: "We had 150 re-enactors and two knights on horseback in the battle arena. 

"It was really entertaining, they are all very experienced and it makes for a good show. 

"I have already started organising next years. 

"It was the most successful Medieval Market we have done, though it's not as big as the festival, however it raises the necessary funds and awareness for August."

The Medieval Market is the first of four annual Battle of Evesham events, including the Festival, the Banquet and the Christmas Fayre.

The next event is the festival which is happening on August 3 and 4 and had over 700 re-enactors. 

Evesham Journal: Over 150 re-enactorsOver 150 re-enactors (Image: Mark Sutherland)

Re-enactors love the festival as it portrays the battle at the same location and date as when it happened. 

Mr Hurst said: "It does good for the town centre and it brings in a lot of footfall to the local economy.

"We are trying to raise the profile of Evesham and we are doing that.

"We surveyed the local shops last year to get their perspective and we had glowing reports. 

"Quite a few said that they were the most important days in the year and that hey make enough money from the events to cover three months of the year."