And traders will breathe a big sigh of relief when the £1m junction improvements along Norman Way are finally completed next week.

They are hoping that Melton's unique calendar of free family events will bring customers back into the town centre in the crucial Christmas trading period as the traffic flows more freely.

Town centre bailiff Andrew Cooper said: "This is the country's first chartered street fair for more than a century and is yet another event to enhance Melton's profile.

"Anything that promotes the town in this day and age when competition is so tough is a good thing. Even if people do not necessarily spend lots of money while they are here during the fair itself, hopefully they will like what they see and come back to do their Christmas shopping here.

"Some cafes and shops are staying open late to make the most of the crowds and most traders have been very supportive. They understand why we are staging this fair."

The Pork Pie Fair opened at noon yesterday and will run until 9pm tonight and the streets have been packed with people. Fairground attractions filled the pedestrianised part of the town centre and the St Mary's Way and King's Head car parks.

Darren Jones, of Darren Jones Funfairs, helped promote and organise the fair. He said: "It has been a great pleasure working with everybody involved in bringing this fair to Melton. It's a very exciting and historic moment."

The fair is the first of seven events in the town centre between now and Christmas as Melton Council and Melton Town Centre Partnership promote the message that Melton is open for business.

The next big event will be the Town Estate's first fireworks fiesta in Play Close next Friday.

Town centre manager Lisa Hammond is confident the fair and other forthcoming events will have a positive, long-term affect on trade.
"Crowds have come to the event in their droves and everyone seems to be having a good time. Footfall has increased in the town and we anticipate the Pork Pie Fair will do for Melton what Loughborough Fair did for it."
She added that feedback would be sought from traders to make the event a bigger success in years to come.

The fair was opened by Senior Townwarden Pat Cumbers, Mayor of Melton Pam Posnett and John Ferneley pupil Jemma Cole (11) who came up with the winning name for the fair.

Robin Hammond, of Rearsby, came to the fair with his two young sons.
He said: "I had no problems getting into the town today and finding somewhere to park. It's an impressive sight and the boys are loving every moment."

And 11-year-old Ellie Cook, of Great Gonerby near Grantham, said: "I was so excited to get on the fair's very first ride and it's not too expensive compared to some other fairs I've been to."

A County Hall spokesman confirmed the roadworks are on schedule, adding: "The lights should be up and running early next week and everything will be completed by Wednesday."