THE largest historical re-enactment of its kind in Wales kicked off in Caldicot today and will continue tomorrow.

Fortress Wales, held at Caldicot Castle for the last five years, brings together re-enactors from around Wales and England and from a range of historical periods.

The castle’s manager Mike Booth said: “It is like a scene from Bill & Ted. It is very surreal but it’s what makes this such a great event.”

He added: “There are over a thousand re-enactors on site so it is a very strong mix and it’s something you don’t get [at others], a Vietcong meeting up with a Viking.

“We have got quite a strong history of having living history and encampments but normally you would have a group portraying one time so it is unusual to have different types of groups coming together.”

Another couple of thousand people, including more than 200 photographers, visited the castle today and a similar number is expected tomorrow.

Some of the re-enactors will have spent the night living life as if they were from that time.

They include visitors from the Plymouth Medieval Society and, more locally, others from the 43rd Monmouthshire Light Infantry re-enactment group.

The castle will open for visitors from 10am tomorrow.