AN ancient ceremony has gone international.

A couple from the United States won a side of bacon at the four-yearly Dunmow Flitch Trials, but will be unable to take it back to Nashville because of US food restrictions.

Saturday's mock trials, in a marquee on Dunmow's Talberds Ley, saw four of the five couples prove to a jury of six maidens and six bachelors they had not wished themselves unwed for a year and a day.

Guest lawyers, including Dave Monk of BBC Essex, acted as prosecution and defence counsel to prove or disprove each couple was worthy of receiving the flitch.

The quaint celebration of marriage, which dates back to 1104, included celebrity couple agony aunt and writer Claire Rayner and her husband of 51 years Des.

Other winners were Janet and Michael Denny of Rayleigh, Jeff and Erin Dotts of Nashville, Tennessee, and Graeme and Amanda Fearon of Wiltshire.

Dunmow couple Malcolm and Carrie Thorne failed to convince the jury of their claim and were awarded a gammon as consolation.

After each trial, the winning couple were carried shoulder high in the ancient flitch chair to Market Place, where an oath was taken while they knelt on pointed stones before being awarded the flitch by judge and Dunmow solicitor Michael Chapman.

Graeme Wade, of the organising committee, said the trials and associated field events were well supported by visitors from near and far.

"It's great that such a unique tradition is kept alive every four years.

"The Dunmow Flitch Trials are talked about around the globe and it's a bit of history for everyone associated with Dunmow to be proud of," he said.