A SYSTEM of local government dating back to Saxon times is still being kept alive in Watchet where the annual Court Leet was held on Thursday, October 27.

Throughout England, local inhabitants met at their borough-moot or port-moot several times a year to deal with matters of importance.

A chief officer called a port reeve would be elected and his duties included the collection of taxes and dues, to preside over the court and to represent townsmen in any disputes between them and the Crown.

Jurors were summoned to appear at the Court Leet – and in 2016 this happened in the Bell Inn at noon.