BROMSGROVE'S ancient Court Leet has chosen its new Bailiff for the next 12 months.

Burcot dental surgeon Graham Boyles was sworn in to the coveted position at the Cooke's Room at Bromsgrove School in Worcester Road last Thursday.

He will take over from John Weston, who has enjoyed his year at the helm of the Court Leet, arranging a total of ten events and raising £9,000 for charity.

"It certainly keeps you busy but it has been a pleasure to try to put something back into the town where I was born," he said

John said that one of the highlights of his year was Bromsgrove Fair Day, when the Court Leet marched through the town and conducted the traditional assize of bread, ale and leather.

The fair day activities of the Court Leet were established more than 800 years ago and were carried out to examine bread, ale and leather for townsfolk.

John added that the annual Bailiff's Dinner was also particularly successful with 110 men sitting down to eat and enjoy a number of traditional and entertaining speeches.

At Thursday's annual ceremony, retired Bournheath businessman Jeremy Sharp was sworn in as Reeve and there were also a number of other changes.

Long-serving Constable and Headborough Bob Richardson stood down to make way for Lickey End man Geoff Evans.

Chris Firminger was named Ale-Taster, retiring from his position as Market Master Juror, which was taken by Juror Ralph Gordon.

Juror Simon Cupitt has become Breadweigher while town veterinary surgeon Hamish Wilson was elected as a new Juror.