STANDARDS were high in more ways than one as the annual competition to find the county standard bearers took place in Worcestershire.

Entrants were put through their paces by judges, who then decide who will be the county bearer for both the Royal British Legion and the women's section.

The event, on Saturday, took place at Witton Middle School in Droitwich.

Standard bearers from Offenham Women's Section, and the Ashton-under-Hill and Droitwich branches of the RBL.

Despite the low number of entries competitors were put through their paces as they were judged on the neatness and maintenance of themselves and their equipment before performing a number of movements, to received a mark out of 150.

Val Annis, of Offenham Women's Section was named as the women's standard bearer for the county, Derril Green, of Aston-under-Hill will be the county RBL standard bearer and David Williams of Droitwich will be his deputy.

Jackie Taylor, the Worcestershire county secretary for the women's section of the RBL, said: "The standard was absolutely brilliant, it was excellent. They were very well turned out and we had two excellent judges.

"They really have to go through their paces to be able to carry a standard."