A FREE swash-bucking adventure awaits families in Northwich.

Pirate Festival Weekend is coming to Anderton Boat Life on Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8.

It will feature pirates firing real weaponry and there will be storytime with infamous dark tales of adventure on the high seas.

Anderton Boat Lift’s Pirate Festival is staged by The Pirate Brethren and will start with the dramatic firing of cannons followed by a weapon display on how to load and fire cannons, pistols and blunderbuss.

After this, there will be themed activities in two pirate tents.

One of the tents will be decked out as a pirate tavern with card and dice games being played, the other will feature a hands-on display of pirate artefacts.

Would-be young pirates can also listen to Arabella Drummond telling colourful tales of treasure hunting and daring deeds or join in singing hearty pirate songs and shanties with Blunderbuss and Badger.

Alternatively, daring young pirates can learn how to prepare and load a dummy cannon. The day will end in a pirate brawl in the tavern.

Stewart ‘Greybeard’ Gledhill of the Pirate Brethren, said: “After the huge success of last year’s event, we can’t wait to return to the Anderton Boat Lift. We are hopeful about recruiting lots of red-blooded, daring young pirates to join us under the flag of the Jolly Roger.”

Visitors to the site can also enjoy the new £50,000 play area and visit the interactive exhibition on the history of the Lift. The event runs from 10am to 3.30pm. Visit canalrivertrust.org.uk