A FIELD near Coleford will be transformed into a 17th Century battleground to celebrate its part in the English Civil War.

Hundreds of soldiers in historical costume will re-enact the short but bloody Battle of Coleford in a two-day skirmish on June 11 and 12 next year.

The event, which has been given the green light by Coleford Town Council, will go ahead after Ribena firm GlaxoSmithKline offered fields near its factory to host the event.

The battle will be organised by historical re-enactment group the Sealed Knot, who put on a smaller event in Coleford in February to mark the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

Sealed Knot member, Captain Ian Blyth, who lives in Broadwell said: "We gave the town council a taste of what we could do back in February and they seemed impressed.

"They were all really keen for us to put on a bigger event."

The battle will be the biggest of its type to be staged in the Forest and will recreate the Battle of Coleford which took place between Welsh Royalists and the parliamentarian Foresters on February 20, 1643.

The battle took place in the centre of Coleford, the first shot fired from what is now the King's Head pub.

Ian, 62, said: "Although we'd love to have a running battle through the streets of Coleford that is going to cause problems so what we will probably try to do is have a brief skirmish in the town centre on the morning before the main event."

Ian has been a Sealed Knot member for more than 20 years. He joined the group after going along to a battle in Scotland and says visitors to Coleford next June will have a lot to look forward to. He said: "When I first went I was just blown away by the spectacle. I was impressed with how colourful and professional it was and with the friendliness of the members.

"The battles are a real spectacle and I think people will enjoy coming and seeing it next year."

Coleford mayor Sue Merrikin said: "It will be an incredibly exciting event that will celebrate Coleford's history and help put us on the map. We can't thank GlaxoSnithKline enough for letting us use the field."

For more information on the Sealed Knot visit www.thesealedknot.org.