VILLAGERS in Dunster are being encouraged to dust off their best medieval glad rags for a festival banquet being held next month.

A medieval banquet in the village’s Tithe Barn will form part of this year’s Dunster Winter Festival, which runs from Friday to Sunday, December 5 to 7.

Medieval music and entertainment will be provided by Wessex Medieval Alliance and the dress code is ‘the more medieval the better’.

The organisers promise a ‘fabulous evening of medieval merriment’ and a ‘sumptuous culinary cornucopia’ provided by the village’s Reeves Restaurant team at £60 for a two-course meal and a welcome drink.

A spokesperson said: “Think dressed fresh salmon, roasted poussin, boar and venison sausages and pies, rustic breads, barley, beef and vegetable stew, roasted root vegetable potage, cassoulets with chick peas, beans and lentils, and funges - a broth of mushroom, leeks and spices - and much much more, all washed down with a goblet of mead.

“Following this extravaganza, enjoy a rich selection of cheeses, poached pears, fruits, and tarts.

“All dietary requirements will be catered for.

“The banqueting tables will be laden with food, decorative gourds, candelabras and trailing foliage.

“While eating, you will be treated to a wealth of entertainment, including jousting, a jester, a magician, singers, and lyre players.

“Plus, have your photo taken with a knight in armour, have a go at being in the stocks, or try your hand at medieval gambling, and place a bid in our silent auction.”

Tickets for the banquet, which takes place from 6.30 pm to 11 pm on the Friday are available from the winter festival website.

The festival, which was held for the first time last year, was designed to promote winter trade in the village, filling a gap left by the ending of the annual Dunster by Candlelight weekend.