Judges Brian Stephens and Reg Harrison were accompanied by town mayor Cllr Ron Harris, Alan Cole and Margaret Emeleus throughout the two hour inspection of the town.

There was a special welcome in store for the judges when they arrived on Abbey Green.

A proclamation was read by Saxon knight Bobby Wait, of the Battel Bonfire Boyes, that they be "welcomed warmly, treated kindly, and be given safe passage.

"As a token of goodwill, and a commitment to minimising waste resources, the town elders decreed that they be each awarded a re-usable Battle Bag."

During the judges' two hour tour, many members of the Battle community were able to demonstrate their part in keeping Battle beautiful and looking after the environment.

Beautiful Battle chair Margaret Emeleus commented: "With such a beautiful day, how could they fail to be impressed!"

The judges are due to return on Thursday to judge the Almonry Gardens.