MORE than 200 people attended Ledbury's Civic Service in the Parish Church last Sunday, including knights in armour to provide a guard of honour for Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker.

The Bristol Boars re-enactment group were there not only to provide glittering support for Cllr Baker but because they will be one of the big attractions for the switch-on of Ledbury's Christmas Lights, which will take place on Saturday, November 26.

The Boars do not only dress up in armour, they actually battle with each other too, using the same weaponry as techniques as medieval knights, and they take part in competitions organised by the Battle Heritage club.

In fact is is a new sport, based on the old skills of martial combat, and the UK team are actually the current world champions, having triumphed against international combatants in Portugal.

Aside from the knights, the service in St Michael and All Angels was attended by various local dignitaries and representatives from community groups and organisations, including John Masefield High School, Ledbury Primary, Eastnor Primary and Bromsberrow Primary.

Cllr Baker said: "It went very well. The Civic Service is traditional and we are in danger of losing a lot of our traditions in this country.

"The Civic Service is a time and a place where local groups, schools and members of the community can come together and feel that they are special. It is a celebration of our heritage and our community, and the theme this year was family and community."