LOCAL history and traditional skills were celebrated at a heritage event hosted by Grimsby Minster.

The fair, co-ordinated by the Church Authorities, the Society For Lincolnshire History And Archaeology and the Local History Society, brought together more than 30 groups and societies from across the county, whose volunteers work tirelessly to keep the area's history alive.

READY FOR BATTLE: Esme Jacklin, 10, joins members of the Sealed Knot re-enactment group dressed as King's Guards, from left, Alan Mackinnon, Keith Robinson, Barbara Robinson and Roger Fairman at the heritage fair at Grimsby Minster. Picture: Michelle Adamson. Buy these photos at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby
TRADITIONAL SKILLS: Geraldine Mathieson, left, and Ros Jump, of The Lincolnshire Mills Group.
PLAYING THE PART: Gillian Thomson, of the Sealed Knot re-enactment group.

Groups such as the Lincolnshire Film Archive, the Lincoln Record Society and Lincoln Mills were in attendance to showcase their wares and pass on their expert knowledge on county life from days gone by.

One of the highlights was a battle re-enactment from the Sealed Knot group.

Guests were also treated to lectures from Dr Glyn Coppack on the monasteries of northern Lincolnshire and Dr Steve Willis on the excavations at Hatcliffe Top.

Neil Wright, chairman of the Society For Lincolnshire History And Archaeology, said: "The event has been a great success.

"It has been held to showcase the information available to local people about their area. There is so much history in the county and so much is being done by local groups like those in attendance today, we thought it needed highlighting to the public.

"It has been very valuable for residents to see what is going on in Lincolnshire and has given them a chance to explore the rich heritage that the county has.

"Events like this play an important role in keeping the history of the area alive."

The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Norma Lincoln, who officially opened the event, said: "I am delighted to be here, everything I have seen is very exciting and interesting.

"I hope the societies here and the local community have had a fantastic day.

"Grimsby Minster is a fantastic setting for an event like this – it is a wonderful minster and we all should be very proud of it.

"Events like this are vitally important for the area – it gives people a chance to learn about their area and know what it means to come from Lincolnshire."

Robert Jacklin, who took his family from Healing to the event, said it had been an interesting day out.

"It is good for the children to come and learn a bit about the history of the area.

"They have really enjoyed it, especially my daughter Esme who joined in with the civil war re-enactment group – that was great fun for her.

"Events like this are good because it means that people won't just forget about the history of the area."