WEYMOUTH travelled back in time as smugglers were apprehended at the harbour, culminating in a public hanging.

But anyone who witnessed the events had no cause for concern – it was all part of the first-ever smuggling re-enactment to take place in the UK.

The Moonfleet Smuggling Festival saw characters act out scenes from J Meade Falkner’s famous book, which was based on the looting and lynching activities in East Fleet near Weymouth.

Organiser Dave Allen said: “The idea of the festival was to try and recreate the story of Moonfleet and to delve in to the history behind it, as the book was based on real things that happened.”

Such was the notoriety of smugglers in the area, that the government based its anti-smuggling operations in Weymouth.

Everything from tea, coffee, alcohol, salt, cloth and silk were brought in to the coves of the Jurassic Coast and smuggled ashore.

Mr Allen added: “What is now the coastguard building on the harbourside was the HM Revenue and Customs building from 1805 onwards.

“We based the re-enactment around the Nothe peninsular and the harbour because we know they were real parts of history and we wanted to make that come to life.”

Two days of living history smuggling events at Bagwell Farm holiday camp were followed by a full day of re-enactment at the harbourside.

It began with a bang as a salute was fired and a one-minute silence held for the Purbeck Isle fishermen.

Peace didn’t last long as a mock battle took place when the Revenue men turned up to apprehend the tea smugglers.

One unlucky smuggler was later caught, tried and hung for his crimes – but his friends got their revenge as his executioner was shot.

And these smugglers were looting contraband with a conscience, as the festival raised more than £500 for the RNLI.

Mr Allen said: “More than 100 actors took part in the re-enactment, some coming all the way from Scotland.

“Everyone who takes part knows exactly what they’re doing and we showed the crowd all of the safety aspects behind it.

“It was great fun and we hope we taught not only Bank Holiday visitors, but people that live in the area, all about the history that surrounds them.”