BLACKWOOD went back to its roots today as more than 1,000 people gathered to celebrate its Chartist beginnings.

The High Street was closed to traffic for three days as fun fair rides, continental food stalls and a re-enactment of 1839's Chartist march took over.

Children and adults enjoyed the sun, strolling past colourful displays and taking part in games.

Organisers say they want to improve the town's future by connecting residents with their past.

Visitors took part in the festivities and residents said they enjoyed the day.

Jane Cooper, 57, from Blackwood, said: "It's interesting to know the history of your town."

Caerphilly county borough council organised the fair. Council leader Harry Andrews said: "We put this event on to remember the enormous sacrifices made by the Chartists back in 1839.

"We're tying this in with the regeneration of Blackwood and the surrounding areas - hopefully it will help attract visitors to the town.

"Unless we understand how we got to where we are, I don't think we will be able to be as progressive as we ought to be in the future."

Councillor Andrews added he hoped more local schools would teach Blackwood children about their past, and said the council would be open to suggestions from local people about the success of the fair.

Gwyn Jones, 67, from Blackwood, said: "It's nice they're doing it but there should be more education stands. You can't tell it's a Chartist fair."

But Millie Andrews, six, from Pontllanfraith, said: "I like the rides and the sweets."

Blackwood became a Chartist centre because of poor working conditions during the Industrial Revolution.

Chartist leaders John Frost, Zephaniah Williams - a Blackwood man - and Williams Williams met in Blackwood pub the Coach and Horses to plan their 1839 march to Newport. The march coincided with a UK-wide revolution against the government.

The rising failed, ending in bloodshed outside Newport's Westgate Hotel, and its leaders were deported to Tasmania.