AHEAD of Friday’s ceremonial shucking of the first Colchester native oyster of the season, Colchester Council has defended the cost of staging the historic event.

Dignitaries and guests will sail in to Pyefleet Creek for mayor Henry Spyvee to dredge and taste the town’s famous oysters – renowned as among the finest of the marine molluscs.

Last year, the event cost the taxpayer £1,455, with councillors paying £70 per head to take a seat at the feast.

Nigel Offen, the council’s cabinet member for resources and business, said it was important to promote a local business and continue a tradition that can be traced back to 1540.

He said: “This ceremony is an important part of Colchester’s heritage which we are anxious to sustain and improve.

“More practically, the fisheries are an enormous resource for Colchester that bring in a lot of money from around the world, and any publicity we can generate for it has to be positive.”

Oysters have been dredged from waters off Colchester since Roman times and the council’s ownership of the oyster beds dates back to the town’s charter of 1189.

Currently, the fisheries are leased to East Mersea-based Colchester Oyster Fishery for an annual charge of £3,677.

The ceremony sees an archaic tongue-twister read to officially declare the fishery open for the season before a loyal toast is raised to the Queen, accompanied by gin and gingerbread.