THURROCK Mayor Cllr James Halden read the municipal proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III outside the civic offices this afternoon (Sunday, 11 September).

He was accompanied in a short procession to the ceremony by the Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, Jeremey Finnis, who made a short speech and the dep Lt's wide Diana, Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price, acting council leader Cllr Mark Coxshall, senior council director Ian Wake and and Fr David Rollins, vicar of St Michael's, Fobbing.

Cllr James Halden reads the Proclamation.

A large gathering, including senior members of the elected administration of Thurrock Council, attended the short service, which was mirrored by hundreds of similar events across the country as local authorities acknowledged the succession of Charles, following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

During the ceremony the civic flag, which currently stands in the churchard of the adjacent St peter and St Pauls's was lowered back to half mast as a tribute to the Queen. As protocol dictates, it was raised to full height for the day prior to the proclamation. The service also saw the singing of 'God Save The King' and three cheers rang out for the new monarch, led by the mayor.

Among the civic representatives at the proclamation were Labour opposition leader Cllr John Kent, Royal British Legion representatives Rod Oakley and Maureen Baker and Gurdev Singh Kang of Grays Gurdwara