THIS set of pictures from The Mail's archive celebrates the 750th anniversary of a Furness town's market charter.

The bulk of the events were held in May and June of 1989 and involved a wide range of Dalton's schools, sporting and social groups.

It provided plenty of opportunity for youngsters to try out the costumes of medieval days when Dalton was the capital of Furness and acted as the commercial and trading hub for a farming area dominated by the monks of the nearby Furness Abbey.

In the days before the widespread use of email, mobile phone and internet, news of the charter celebrations was sent around the world by members of the Furness Amateur Radio Society.

Radio hams as far away as Italy and Bulgaria tuned in to hear about the Dalton events.

Newly elected mayor Brenda O'Conner set in motion the historic proceedings as her first official engagement - she unlocked the doors to Dalton Castle with a key presented by the National Trust regional chairman Spencer Crookenden.

The National Trust had spent £30,000 renovating the interior of the castle.

A telegram was delivered from the Queen offering good wishes to the town and the town's market charter was read out by town crier, Alistair Proctor.

The Phoenix Dancers were on hand to recreate the dances of Elizabethan England, watched by visitors from the USA, Australia and Singapore.

There was even a festival of sport, which gave Dalton players a chance to take on one of the best five-a-side teams ever to kick a football in Furness.

Barrow's AFC's squad was Kevin Proctor, Peter McDonnell, Mickey Cloudsdale, Kenny Gordon, Neil Doherty, Jimmy Capstick and goalscoring legend Colin Cowperthwaite.

A year later, the players were at Wembley winning the FA Trophy.

Close to Dalton Castle is a stone giving details of the ancient charter.

It notes: "Henry III confirms to Furness Abbey a fair each year at Dalton-in-Furness from 31 st October to 2 nd November.

"Greetings. Know that we have granted and confirmed by this our charter on behalf of ourself and our heirs.

"To God an the Abbey of Furness and the abbot and monks serving God there.

"That they and their successors may have in perpetuity, at Dalton-in-Furness a certain fair each year lasting for three days.

"Namely, on the day before and on the day and on the morrow of All Sanits' Day. Unless that fair be damaging to neighbouring fairs.

"Wherefore we wish and firmly order for ourselves and our heirs that the abbot and monks and their successors have in perpetuity the aforesaid fair, rightly and in peace, with all the liberties and free customs belonging to such a fair with these witnesses:

"Walter, Bishop of Carlisle; William Bishop-elect of Norwich; Simon, Earl of Leicester; Stephen of Seagrave; Richard de Gray; Master Nicholas of Farnham; Aimeri de Saint-Amand; Bartholomew Peche and others.

"Given by our hand at Westminster on the 13 th day of May 1239."