A band of local republican sympathisers have freed several prisoners from their captors and are running riot in the Shropshire countryside, joined by a band of French insurgents sent on Napoleon's order to cause menace and mayhem.

The local mayor appeals for help and several British regiments on home leave have been dispatched to quell the invaders who have taken possession of a stockpile of gunpowder and muskets and are holed up in the ruined castle of Whittington.

The scenario will be played out during the Whittington Castle Siege Weekend at the castle near Oswestry on May 5 and 6.

The annual Napoleonic reenactment event will feature living history, in both the Allied and French encampments, drill and musketry displays.

Castle manger, Sue Ellis said: "There will be plenty of smoke and action. The format for the battles will follow last years successful rolling skirmish, leading to an assault on the castle walls by the rampaging French, with an explosive finale."

At least a dozen re-enactment groups will travel to Whittington for the event.

Re-enactment camps will run from 10-4pm with a skirmish around 3pm each afternoon.