UNUSUAL things will be coming to Middlewich for the festival.

Forts will be created on the fields, centurions will be appearing on the streets and authentic clay pots and mosaics will be on display.

And this year's invasion is expanding into Northwich as the festival has joined forces with the Lion Salt Works.

Andrew Fielding, project director at the Lion Salt Works, said: "The salt pan at the works is the only surviving example of pre-Roman salt industry.

"We cannot move the pan to Middlewich, it is 150 kilos and is 9mm thick solid lead.

"We have set up a park and ride so that people can move to and from each town with ease."

Staff at the salt works will be giving demonstrations on the ancient tradition of salt making.

Mr Fielding added that this collaboration was all part of getting all the 'wich' towns to work together in promoting their heritage.

Alison Roylance-White, Town Mayor, said: "It is such an important event for the town.

"We have always done very well in attracting people to the festival and we know the benefits for businesses and the local community in terms of bringing money into the town from outside and more importantly it gives something back to the people themselves.

"I am really looking forward to it myself."