CANNONS will fire and drums will sound as the English Civil War returns to Bolton in a spectacular event in one month's time.

Roundheads and Cavaliers will descend on Bolton School for 'The Storming of Bolton' — almost 375 years since the heavily Parliamentarian town was captured by Royalist forces under Prince Rupert.

To prepare Bolton School Girls for the occasion, a musketeer returned from 1649 to shed some light on the period.

GCSE and A Level history students engaged in a question and answer session with musketeer Obadiah Watt who was dressed in full costume.

The visitor answered questions about the Putney debates of 1647, and gave his opinion on whether all men should have a vote.

He explained why the Parliamentarians killed the King and described the events of several battles in detail.

He also talked about life as a musketeer, including the difficulties finding food, the long marches and drills and the pressure to aim and fire reliably in the confusion of battle.

Bolton was stormed in May 1644 by thousands of soldiers, led by King Charles’ nephew.

The Earl of Derby was later executed next to Bolton Market Cross for his part in the massacre and the third Civil War in 1651.

A new project will see two education days staged at Bolton School to teach children about their town’s part in the Civil War.

A series of battles will be staged by costumed re-enactors from The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote on the weekend of July 7 and 8.

Headmaster of Bolton School Boys’ division, Mr Philip Britton, said: "We are eagerly anticipating what should be a dramatic and instructive weekend.

"When Old Boy David Wilson proposed the idea, the prospect of bringing events that are sometimes accessible only to a few in castles and stately homes to a much wider audience of Bolton people seemed to so much fit the aims of what we try to do as a school for the community that it seemed too good a chance to miss.

"Hopefully it will provide a great opportunity for young and old to learn about what life was like for people living in Bolton during the Civil Wars."

The soldiers' camp will be open on both days, between 10am and 4pm.

There will also be the opportunity to take part in a scavenger hunt, listen to a Puritan preacher and visit the apothecary.

Spectators can watch a display about what it was like to be a Parliamentarian soldier, or observe musketeers as they carry out drills ahead of battle.

The event has been jointly funded by the Bolton School and a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The weekend forms part of a school project for pupils in Years 5, 6, and 7.

Entrance to the Bolton School site will be via Dobson Road, just off Chorley New Road.