A CENTURIES-OLD ceremony will take place in a Furness town this week.

Broughton will host its annual Proclamation of the Fair event on Wednesday.

It will see councillors re-enact traditional pomp and pageantry, including "quaffing of good ale" and the scattering of pennies to children.

Having assembled in the lounge of The Black Cock at 11.45am, the ceremony's official party will be led to the Obelisk in the square by the bailiff Joss Curwen, carrying the ceremonial halberd.

The proceedings will be introduced from the steps of the Obelisk by councillors Matt Brereton and Elizabeth Mallinson, the chairman of Cumbria County Council, who will read the proclamation to the assembled residents.

The proclamation will be repeated by Parish Councillor Elaine Knowles, chairman of Broughton Parish Council.

The residents will then be invited to the Manor Hotel where they will receive fair cake and ale, after which Cllr Mallinson will propose a toast to The Queen and Duke of Lancaster.

The councillor will round off proceedings when she signs the charter, containing signatures of everyone who has read the proclamation since the 4th Earl of Derby first proclaimed the charter in 1593.