Cirencester's Market Place has seen many dark deeds over the centuries and indeed some very joyous ones.

Sunday most certainly fell into the latter category when Mr John Lawrence, verger at the parish church, was installed and robed as the town crier, a post that had last been filled after a 300 year gap.

The magnificent parish church was almost packed to capacity with dozens more waiting outside to see the new town crier carried out.

The ceremony was conducted by the vicar of Cirencester the Rev. Canon Graham Morris, assisted by town criers from neighbouring towns.

Cirencester Town Cllr Joe Harris performed the ceremonial robing and the newly installed town crier was borne from the church by students of the Royal Agricultural University on a specially made beer barrel seat.

The procession wound its way through the market place, around the assembling Mop Fair Rides and onto The Crown Hotel for a refreshing beverage.