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Wax figurines line Canterbury street as the Canterbury Tales site cleared out

A bizarre sight has been photographed in a city street - as wax figurines of medieval people were spotted lining a kerbside.

The models were found sitting, standing and lying, in an impromptu tableau outside the recently-closed Canterbury Tales attraction in St Margaret's Street, Canterbury.

Figurines lined St Margaret's Street in Canterbury city centre. Picture: Andrew Rootes (34967752)
Figurines lined St Margaret's Street in Canterbury city centre. Picture: Andrew Rootes (34967752)

The site - which closed down last month after more than three decades in the heart of the city - offered an interactive tour through Geoffrey Chaucer's well-known medieval work.

Written in the late 1300s, The Canterbury Tales are presented as a group of stories told by pilgrims, who hold a story-telling contest as they travel together from London to Canterbury Cathedral, to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket.

The pilgrims come from all different classes and walks of life - and include a knight, a squire, a miller, a merchant, a friar and a cook.

At the Canterbury Tales attraction, visitors were until recently able to walk the darkened streets between London and Kent, meeting both waxworks and costumed characters along the way.

Figurines lined St Margaret's Street in Canterbury city centre. Picture: Andrew Rootes (34967737)
Figurines lined St Margaret's Street in Canterbury city centre. Picture: Andrew Rootes (34967737)

Yesterday, as Andrew Rootes walked through Canterbury's empty city centre, he was surprised to spot a number of the motley characters poised on the pavement, as the wax figurines were removed from the building.

Many were saddened when the Canterbury Tales announced its closure last month.

Along with its regular interactive tours, the attraction ran a number of popular after-dark and school holiday events offering everything from medieval potion making to sword fighting and story telling.

Announcing its closure on its website, the company wrote: "Sadly, after 35 years, the time has come to close the doors on The Canterbury Tales visitor attraction.

"The stories still live on in Chaucer's immortal words.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to all our dedicated team members past and present, and to our loyal guests and partners. We wish you well."

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