A HUSH fell over Bolton Magistrates' Court yesterday afternoon on a dramatic day at the Bolton Festival.

More than 2,000 people packed into the courtroom to see justice meted out during a day of mock trials.

Magistrates watched over the Bank Holiday "trials" as court staff took on the roles of witnesses and defendants -- and the Bolton public loved it.

And there were plenty of other festival events to keep the crowds entertained yesterday, including a charity street market in Le Mans Crescent, which helped raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

But the day's main drama was unfolding at the nearby Magistrates' Court, which saw staged trials set in both the Victorian era and the present day.

The Victorian trial saw drunken character Mary Malone, played by Barbara Platt, arrested on the court steps following a fight with two policemen.

The officers -- dressed in top hats and costumes from the police museum in Manchester -- hauled Mary, who was wearing a grubby Victorian dress and shawl, into court two.

Mary was then brought before a stipendiary magistrate -- played by magistrate Mike Cresswell -- charged with attacking her neighbours with stones. The audience saw her sentenced to six months in prison.

Mrs Taylor said: "We are very keen to recruit more magistrates. People can come and watch a video about how you can become a magistrate and can also have the chance to talk with members of the advisory committee."

Meanwhile, a fluorescent rabbit, a New Orleans parade band and a fairground organ were among the attractions at yesterday's charity street market, featuring more than 80 fundraising stalls. One striking sight was Fiver the bright pink bunny breezing through the crowds with an Easter basket full of bananas. The rabbit was promoting Bolton Primary Care Trust's five-a-day campaign, to get people to eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables a day.

PCT co-ordinator Alan Brown said: "Some people have been looking at us as if we're trying to poison them, but on the whole the response has been great."