Hundreds of people gathered in towns across Wychavon as King Charles III was officially proclaimed king.

The former Prince of Wales ascended to the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last Thursday.

He was then formally proclaimed King at a ceremony in St James’s Palace on Saturday before proclamations began taking place in other parts of the UK on Sunday.

In Pershore, dignitaries and members of the public gathered outside the Civic Centre at 3pm.

Nicholas Wentworth Stanley, Deputy Lieutenant representing the Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, His Majesty's representative in the county, opened proceedings.

He told the crowd: "We come together this afternoon following the death of our late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth the Second.

“Our sadness at this time is shared by people across the globe, as we remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest-reigning Monarch.

"But the basis on which our monarchy is built has ensured that through the centuries the Crown has passed in an unbroken line of succession. Today's ceremony marks the formal Proclamation to the people of the County of Worcestershire of the beginning of our new King's reign."

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Before reading the proclamation councillor Alex Sinton, chairman of Wychavon District Council, said: "In an age where modern methods of communication convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer the means by which people learn for the first time that they have a new Monarch.

"Today, however, is one of the first occasions when communities have an opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our nation's history when the reign of our longest-serving Monarch came to an end and our new Sovereign succeeded."

The proclamation was then read out before cheers of God Save The King.

Ali Duggan then led the crowd in singing the first verse of the national anthem before three cheers were given for His Majesty The King to end the event.

At 4pm Pershore Town Council held its own ceremony at the Town Hall, with the mayor, councillor Matthew Winfield, reading the proclamation.

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Meanwhile in Evesham, the proclamation was read out by mayor Mark Goodge at 4:30pm.

Speaking after, he said: “I'm very pleased with the turnout for the Proclamation and I hope that everyone present appreciated the historic nature of the day.

“The Proclamation of a new monarch is a once-in-a-generation event, and I'm deeply honoured to be one of the few Mayors of Evesham who have had the privilege of delivering it.

“I'd also like to place on record my thanks to my fellow councillors and officers of the Town Council, and everyone else involved in the day, for their support and hard work involved in making this such a memorable occasion.”