Visitors to Forty Hall will be transported back to the Jacobean era when the historic house hosts a colourful pageant to mark the life of the first lord of the manor.

The parade through the grounds will attempt to recreate the celebrations held in honour of Sir Nicholas Rainton when he was made Lord Mayor of London in 1632.

The showpiece, led by hall manager Gavin Williams, will include music, dance and readings. Members of the Principal Theatre Company will be sporting period costume and youngsters will be given the chance to create masks and family crests in readiness for the procession through the grounds.

The pageant of 1632, which also included a "faire chariot and a lion" was choreographed by playwright Thomas Heywood and cost the princely sum of £550 to produce.

Mr Williams said: "The hall will once again come alive with some of the costumes, music and speeches which would have been around at the time. I am very much looking forward to it."

The event takes place at 3pm on Sunday, August 28. For more information, call Forty Hall on 8363 8196.