PREPERATIONS are well underway for Winsford Salt Fair next month.

A five-day series of events will celebrate the town’s industrial and mining heritage between September 17-21 at sites across Dene Drive Car Park and the town centre.

One of the star attractions will be the Salt Fair Regatta –a flotilla of vessels that will sail down the River Weaver to the flashes, highlighting the river’s importance to Winsford’s industrial past.

A large collection of narrow boats, cruisers, and other boats will visit Winsford Marina between 11am and 4pm on September 21.

Civic leaders are well underway planning celebrations, which will include a special focus on this year’s centenary of the First World War.

The Cheshire Artists Network, CAN, have created a series of large artworks for the event – including large replica models of Britain’s Great War era Mark 1 tank.

This week, Kevin Pybus, store manager for Wickes DIY in Winsford, visited the CAN creative hub in Winsford town centre to see progress.

Wickes, based at the Wharton Retail Park, has agreed to donate various materials and products to the Salt Fair to help 2014’s annual event be the town’s best yet.

The fair will begin with the reading of the historic Royal Charter, granted by King Edward in 1280, which gave permission for a ‘feast of the fair’ and market in the borough of Over, in the area now occupied by Delamere Street.

To stay tuned to Salt Fair updates, visit winsfordsaltfair.com