ALTHOUGH heavy rain robbed Alcester's 663rd annual mop and statute fair of some of its colour, it failed to spoil the modern setting which surrounds the exercising of a number of its ancient customs, including a few new ones.

Because of the rain, Court Leet officials were unable to use a platform erected in the High Street on Tuesday evening, so officers sought refuge on the steps of the dodgems - part of the fair - from which to carry out ancient customs revived for the first time last year.

There, the officers examined goods submitted by the trades-people of the town. The goods were afterwards auctioned off for charity, the crowd being summoned by the town crier, Mr E R Grummet, who was in a traditional gown of scarlet and gold.

One factor, which made this year's events different from its predecessors, was the reprisal of the ancient fair procession from the High Street.

There was also no pig roast this year.