CIVIC pride and good citizenship was celebrated at Ashburton Court and Law Day much as it has been for the past millennium.

Retiring portreeve Bill Chapley handed over the chain of office to Philip Darby, Ashburton's retired vicar, who becomes the town's 1,191st portreeve.

Taking Mr Darby's position as bailiff is Cllr Peter Brewer.

Good citizenship at Ashburton Primary's school was rewarded too during Tuesday's ceremony at St Lawrence Chapel. The portreeve cup was presented to Chloe Parr, 11; the coronation cup went to Rowan Astwood, ten, and the portreeve's pence were given to Chiara Licinio and George Brinkley, both ten.

Appointments were made to positions vital to the smooth-running to the town, such as pig drovers, ale tasters, scavengers and viewers of the markets.

Sundry presentments were brought forward by the Leat Jury and Baron Jury, including congratulations to the town's mayor, Cllr Donald Distin, on his 20 years' service as a retained firefighter and a request that the post office highlight the raised disabled access at the entrance of their premises, to stop people tripping on it.