THE annual Beat the Bounds around Marlborough's 12-mile boundary, will be on October 6.

Traditionally the walk, which over the years has raised thousands of pounds in sponsorship for local causes, takes place on the day after the first of the town's two Mop fairs. By statute the two fairs have to be held on the Saturday on either side of October 11.

It is believed the walk has taken place for centuries, but the modern beat the bounds was revived in the Sixties by a former mayor, the late Coun Bill Winchcombe.

In recent years the numbers taking part have dwindled to dozens, but the mayor, Coun Margaret Boulton, said she would like to see a return to the heyday of the event 30 years ago when hundreds took part.

Coun Boulton will be at the Bay Bridges lay-by on the Marlborough to Swindon Road at the foot of Port Hill, to send the walkers on their way at 12pm.

Councillors who know the route well will be leading the walk.

They will take charge of marshalling the walkers along the way and making sure that no stragglers are left behind.

It is believed that the word beat, referred to the ceremony of striking the boundary stones around the parish with sticks.

Some historians, however, believe the word beat also referred to the practice is some places of thrashing children over the boundary stones to make sure they always remembered where they were.

The Marlborough beat the bounds even today, usually involves the symbolic beating of some of the children taking part.