A remarkable time capsule film capturing the very first Battle of Hastings re-enactment has been unearthed and restored after nearly 60 years.

The colour movie has been brought back to life almost six decades on after the footage was handed to English Heritage.

The charity says the film provides a unique insight into a pioneering attempt to recreate England’s most famous battle on its 900th anniversary.

The historic video shows hundreds of rowdy reenactors clashing with weapons and a ‘rather relaxed attitude towards health and safety.’

It is now set to be shown to the public for the first time this weekend.

The original footage was captured by Alan Wootton, who ran an electronics business in Hastings, East Sussex, with his wife Mary.

The couple were commissioned by the town council to document the celebrations after developing an innovative method of adding sound to silent home movies.

Following Alan’s death, Mary gave all his 300 reels of film to their son Cliff, who has been gradually reviewing, processing and enhancing them.

Cliff has released the film to English Heritage so it can be preserved and shared by the charity with future generations.

Cliff, who helped his dad as a sound recordist at the time the footage was shot, said: ‘I was just 12 years old, but Dad had me helping him at the 1966 re-enactment, so I was right there in the middle of it all.

‘We’re hugely proud of what Dad and Mum achieved with their film and sound equipment, and are delighted that English Heritage will be showing it to so many other people who share an interest in this fantastic piece of British history.’

English Heritage says the footage ‘is likely to raise a few eyebrows amongst modern audiences’.

It includes scenes of boisterous reenactors marching down Battle High Street, with soldiers on foot getting dangerously close to horses.

The charity is now on the hunt for the original reenactors to invite them to attend the 60th re-enactment this year.

James Witcombe, English Heritage site manager for Battle Abbey, said: ‘This film is an incredible time capsule. It captures not only the first regular Battle of Hastings re-enactment but also the atmosphere of an event that continues, to this day, to bring history to life for thousands of people almost 1,000 years after the original battle.

‘Some of what we see in Alan’s film is certainly a reminder of just how much re-enactment – and health and safety – has changed over the past 60 years.’

The re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings will be held at Battle Abbey on October 10 and 11.

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