The 14th century knights in armour also battled with axes during a re-enactment on Saturday at the entertainment venue.

The fight involving eight knights started at the main entrance and led to the battle-hardened fighters coming to blows on the upper levels of the complex.

Jesters juggled fire, while a medieval band played music from the period on flutes as youngsters got the chance to fire a bow and arrow.

Graham Field, also know as Sir John of Winchester, was one of the members of the Medieval Combat Society who visited the town to take part in the festivities.

He said: "It was about people coming down and enjoying themselves and seeing how people lived and fought in medieval times.

"A lot of what went on was about nobility. We put on archery on the day. A lot of people don't realise there was a 14th century law which said you had to do archery practice every Sunday morning."

The event was held to raise cash for Cancer Research, Animals in Need and The Premature Baby Charity.

Sol Central workers were also put in stocks pelted with sponges as part of the fund-raiser while ye olde tea and coffee and burgers and hotdogs were sold as the centre got into the spirit of the day.

Ray McGlynn, centre manager, said: "We did it for charity and for Northampton. We haven't seen anything like this in Northampton before. It was just a fun day."

The knights will return on April 6 for the drawing of a raffle. Prizes include a mountain bike, a weekend at the Ibis Hotel and a month's free parking. Tickets are on sale at all of the Sol Central units.