THE largest travelling Funfair in the south-west will once more roll onto Bridgwater’s St. Matthew's Field this week.

St Matthew's Field will once more be packed to the brim with fairground rides and attractions of all shapes and sizes, with thousands of visitors expected to attend over the four days.

This year the fair and West Street market will be open from Wednesday to Saturday.

There will also be the traditional one-day horse fair and market, taking place tomorrow at the top of St Matthew's Field.

The Showman’s Guild, who organise and manage the main fair, has invited the chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, Cllr Mike Cresswell and the Mayor of Bridgwater, Cllr Graham Granter to open the fair at 11am on Wednesday.

The remaining opening and closing times for the Fair are 11am to 11pm Wednesday; 1pm to 11pm on Thursday; 1pm to 11.30pm on Friday and 11am to 11pm on Saturday.

West Street and adjacent roads will be closed from 9am today and will re-open from 10am on Sunday, October 1. Diversion routes will be signposted.

A spokesperson for the team at Sedgemoor said: "We are really looking forward to this year's Bridgwater Fair. "We work hard to provide the traditional markets visitors enjoy alongside the Showman's Guild rides and stalls. "We are making a special appeal to all visitors this year to bin their litter so we can ensure a litter-free field and nearby streets."

In addition to organising the two markets, Sedgemoor District Council also funds public conveniences, first aid, night-time security and generators as well as inspecting the many food stalls selling traditional goodies such as Welsh cakes, brandy snaps and toffee apples.

Temporary toilets are provided adjacent to Westfield House; behind the ex-Squib Public House in West Street and on St Matthews Field near the Horse and Jockey Public House.

First Aid is provided by St John Ambulance who can be found at the top of West Street behind Westfield Church.

Limited parking will be available from Thursday until Saturday with the Rotary Club of Bridgwater in St Matthews Field at a cost of £3.50 per vehicle. Other parking is available in town centre pay and display car parks, and Sedgemoor-owned car parks are free to use after 6pm. There will be some parking restrictions in residential streets adjacent to Fairfield and lower Durleigh Road and visitors are advised to use a car park.

For more information visit sedgemoor.gov.uk/bridgwaterfair.