ONE of the oldest fairs in the country will be returning to Cirencester next month.

Friends and families will be able to enjoy a vast range of fairground rides and stalls in Cirencester's town centre on Monday, October 9 and Monday, October 16 between midday and 10pm.

Dating back to the 12th century, the Mop Fair takes its name from the original purpose which was a hiring event where servants carried the tools of their trade to show they were available to work.

In recent times Mop Fairs have become funfair for the community to enjoy and in Cirencester this has been delivered by the Nichols family for more than 100 years.

William Nichols was the first member of the family to present a fair, in Buckingham, and his grandson, Marshall Nichols, continues the tradition today.

Cirencester Town Council is working closely with event organisers Nichols Amusements and the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and has engaged with an independent health and safety consultant.

 Measures to minimise the environmental impact of the fair are also being considered.

The town centre will be closed to all traffic for the event, with roads closures starting at 4pm on Sunday, October 8 and Sunday, October 15 until midnight on Monday, October 9 and Monday, October 16.