Northampton is one of only a handful of places across the country to still celebrate Oak Apple Day, on May 29, to commemorate the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660.

This year's celebrations, which will be held on Saturday, will mark the 350th anniversary of Charles II reclaiming the monarchy with a short parade and service, at 10.45am, at All Saints Church.

The service will conclude at noon when the Lord Lieutenant and Mayor of Northampton will clamber onto the roof of the church and watch as the statue of Charles II, which overlooks the piazza, is wreathed with oak leaves by Charles Fitzroy, a descendent of the king.

Members from the Sealed Knot Civil War re-enactment society will then fire a volley of muskets into the air while the bells of All Saints will ring a royal peal.

Lee Dunleavy, of All Saints Church, said: "Every year on Oak Apple Day a wreath is hung around the neck of the statue of Charles II on the church. Over the last 50 years Northampton has suffered from losing a number of its historical buildings and to keep anything which celebrates the town's history is essential."

The public service starts at 11am.