Amateur actors are marking the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.

Castle Hedingham was home to Robert de Vere, the third Earl of Oxford, who was one of the barons responsible for establishing the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law.

The village is organising a series of celebrations, including a performance of The Canterbury Tales.

However, it will be a modern day interpretation by writer, Phil Woods.

The tales - performed by the Castle Players - are presented in the form of an annual Geoffrey Chaucer Canterbury Tale-Telling Competition and the audience will be invited to vote for the winner.

A first read-through will take place at the Memorial Hall in Church Lane on March 2 at 7.30pm and auditions will be held at the same venue at 7.30pm on March 4.

The Castle Players need eight to ten actors and a small backstage crew, so anyone interested can call director, Lauri Scrivens, on 01787 469766.

Rehearsals will take place on Monday and Wednesday evenings plus two or three Sundays.

Performances take place on the evenings of June 18 to 20.

The Castle Hedingham Community Celebration of the Magna Carta has received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Magna Carta Trust.