A bakery has been presented with a plaque in recognition of providing the kitchels for a historical mayor-making ceremony.

Humphreys bakery, in West Street, is one of the oldest businesses in Harwich and, for more than 40 years, it has provided the fruit spiced buns as part of the special ceremony.

The mayor throws the kitchels from the Guildhall's window to crowds below in Church Street.

The bakery also boxed up the kitchels and provided them to local schools. The mayor would then go along and make sure every child collected their kitchel.

But on Saturday. the bakery shut its oven door for the last time.

Harwich mayor Les Double said the Harwich Town Council plaque was presented to Frank and Mark Humphreys on Friday.

Now that Humphreys is closing, the town council is searching for someone else to take on the kitchel-making role. Anyone who can help is asked to contact the town council on 01255 507211.

Published Tuesday January 20, 2004

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