New Wantage Mayor Fiona Roper plans to introduce an annual Alfred’s Day featuring a re-enactment of a Saxon battle.

Mrs Roper, who was elected earlier this month, said she wants the celebration on the King’s traditional feast day, October 26.

The town-wide tribute could also include a “burnt cakes” bake- off, children’s fancy dress parade, live music and talks about King Alfred in the Vale and Downland Museum.

Mrs Roper, who lives in Manor Road, said: “I think it would be great to have a Saxon battle in the town. I have seen similar celebrations in Spain of the battles between the Moors and the Christians and they are great fun.”

She said she would also like to fly the Wyvern – the Wessex flag, featuring a gold dragon on a red background – in the Market Place.

Alfred, who lived from 849AD to 899, was born in Wantage.

He began the process of unifying the Kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia and Kent under one ruler.

Vale and Downland Museum curator Ruth Howard said: “I think it sounds like a fantastic idea, to celebrate our heritage in an all-singing, all-dancing way. Children learn much more by doing things and taking part.

“Alfred is such an important part of Wantage. He has been used to promote everything from the Wessex Mill to King Alfred’s School and the old Wessex Press stationery shop.”

In February, archaeologists located bones, believed to be those of King Alfred, in St Bartholomew Church in Winchester.

They were exhumed to a secret storage location in March to keep them safe, but no scientists have officially applied to conduct a scientific investigation yet.

The Vikings is a Dark Ages re-enactment group which stages battle across the UK, featuring up to 1,500 Saxons and Vikings.

Spokesman Mark Talbot, who plays a Saxon archer called Hedda of Mercia, said: “The Vikings re-enactment society welcome the thought of celebrating King Alfred at Wantage.

“We look to educate and inform people about Viking and Saxon history and King Alfred is possibly the most important king of the period. Thanks to Alfred the Great our nation became a unified England and his stand against the Danes was critical to our identity.”

Mr Talbot, who now lives in Essex, used to fight with the Oxford University Wychwood Warriors, and saw his first “live action” in a re-enactment at a Wantage school.

The Vikings already recreate Alfredian battles and charge anything from £250 for a small show to £4,000 for a large battle.

The group’s encampments, which can last for several days, also feature women and children who exhibit ancient skills such as metal working, woodwork, bone work, cooking and weaving.

Alfred the Great

Alfred was born in 849AD in Wantage, the fifth son of Aethelwulf, king of the West Saxons.

He became king of Wessex at the age of 21 and reigned from 871 until his death in 899.

He repelled a Danish invasion from the south of England which had been ongoing for decades.

He unified the Kingdoms of West Mercia, Wessex and Kent, and worked hard to improve literacy among his people by translating important works.