RESIDENTS packed into the town hall to attend the annual meeting of Alcester Court Leet to witness the continuation of a 700-year tradition.

New members swore the Oath of Frankpledge and paid the dues of the Frankpledge Penny as Keith Tomlinson took over from Chris Wright as the new High Bailiff.

The towns' jurymen elected Keith Martin as Low Bailiff and town councillor Bill Malin as Town Crier - a role the new High Bailiff knows well, having carried out the duty for the last 15 years.

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