Annual Blessing of the Waters held in Brightlingsea

Brightlingsea's Blessing of the Waters ceremony celebrates the town's maritime heritage and involves a historic fishing fleet re-asserting rights to the waters - an entitlement which only Cinque Ports have.

It began with the town crier ringing his bell on the steps of St James Church, in High Street,marking the starts of a colourful civic procession from the church to the top of the jetty where the fish and sailors were blessed.

The procession then went to the oyster smacks at the end of the jetty where the second part of the service took place to bless the waters and boats.

Procession - Mayors from across Essex and Kent took part

Reverend Caroline Beckett, the Vicar of Brightlingsea, led the service which was followed by a flotilla of heritage wooden vessels travelling along the creek.

Organiser Roger Tabor said: "It was a fantastic occasion, the sun shone, there was a long colourful procession of mayors in robes from local Essex ports and from Cinque Ports in Kent.

"It is great as the only Cinque Port in Essex to receive such support from other towns. There was huge support from Brightlingsea taking part in the service and joining in making the din as the boats set off.

"We also had fantastic support from the boat owners, skippers and crews who all turned out and bedecked their crafts with bunting, pennants and flags.

"The flotilla of boats looked fabulous - it was Brightlingsea at its best."

Sailing - The boats on the open water (Picture: Liz Artindale)

The origins of the religious ceremony lie in a historic dispute between oystermen from Brightlingsea and Colchester who used to argue over the position of West Ness near Bateman’s Tower.

It is no longer an issue today but Mr Tabor said it was important to keep the custom alive.

Mr Tabor said: "It has been taking place in Brightlingsea for centuries, it is a great tradition and reminds us of our story and the history of the place.

"It is a beating the bounds tradition to remind ourselves and others where our Cinque Port Liberty boundaries are and it keeps alive our past."

Horn - Roger Tabor (Picture: Jon Sturdy)

Mayors from Colchester, Wivenhoe, Maldon, Burnham-on-Crouch, West Mersea and Brightlingsea all took part while Cinque Port Mayors from towns in Kent also joined in as Brightlingsea is the only Cinque Port north of the Thames.