THE annual Ceremony of the Keys was held at Portland Castle.

Guests gathered in the castle gunroom while members of the public lined the battlements to be welcomed by Mark Simmonds from English Heritage.

Among the guests were High Sheriff of Dorset Victoria McDonaugh and representatives of local organisations.

The master of ceremonies, deputy town mayor David Thursden, extended a welcome on behalf of town mayor Richard Paisley and town councillors. The event got off to a rousing start with songs of Portland’s sea and quarries sung by Island Voices and this was followed with a stirring drum and bugle display from TS Penn Corps of Drums.

Showing the island’s links with the Royal Navy, the four keys of Portland’s castles and citadels were carried in by CPO Bob Featherstone from TS Penn.

They were presented to the town mayor who then passed them into the safe keeping of Court Leet, represented by member Brian Otter.

In his address, mayor’s chaplain, the Rev Chris Briggs spoke of the power of symbols and how many gave a poor impression of the society we live in. He said: “Keys are a timeless tradition of our heritage and represent so much that is good.”

Marshalling of the event was carried out by TS Penn cadets and the colourful figures of the Pike and Shot Re-enactment Society.

The sunset bugle call was by CPO Damien Hawkins from the Sea Cadet Corps.