THE DELIGHTS OF medieval medicine were brought to life as part of the Wiltshire Archaeology Festival.

A Tudor hedge witch enthralled around 70 people during yesterday's event at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in Old Town.

The witch, called Bess Yeoman, was played by Nadine Carr, 24, from the History People, and she discussed a host of ancient remedies.

These included potions made from animal parts, plants and herbs.

She also outlined the horrors of early attempts at surgery, and took along surgical tools from the Roman, Tudor and Stuart period.

Nadine said: "The reaction ranged from disgust to fascination.

"We had a wonderful day, and people were really interested in everything."

Museum spokesman Ursula Edmunds said: "We had people of all ages at the event, from children to adults."

The Wiltshire Archaeology Festival runs until Friday to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Wiltshire Archaeology and Natural History Society.

On Thursday, a landscape history walking tour is being held at the Lawns from 7pm to 8pm.