A town was celebrated by a host of esteemed guests.

Bridport's Civic Day saw town mayor, Cllr Anne Rickard, host the High Sheriff of Dorset, Jacqueline Swift, and representatives of district and town councils from across Dorset.

Civic visitors to the town received presentations and tours at the youth and community centre, museum, tourist information centre and the Literary and Scientific Institute, where they learnt of the support of the town council for all these different initiatives promoted for the benefit of the Bridport community and visitors.

To close the day, students from Sir John Colfox Academy gave a short presentation about Bridport Citizens’ Charter, being a Rights Respecting Town and the importance of the community working together for the common benefit of the town.

Cllr Anne Rickard, Town Mayor said: "It was a real highlight of my mayoral year to be able to welcome so many very esteemed guests on this special day. The past year has been eventful and productive for Bridport so we had some especially wonderful initiatives to present and it was a great pleasure to take everyone around our town. The feedback was mostly 'wow - you have an amazing town' and, to top it off, the weather was amazing too.

"Many thanks to the representatives from each of the organisations we visited for their informative presentations and I am forever grateful to Linda Bullock, in her role of Mayor's Secretary, for organising everything so beautifully, and also of course to Bob Gillis, the ever-present Daryl Chambers, Terri Foxwell and our 'outside team' for all their input and hard work. Also Rose Harris and her helpers who prepared the most delicious and locally-sourced lunch for us all, altogether making it such a perfect day."

Colfox students are all members of the school's 'Rights-Respecting' steering group, supporting the school in its aim to achieve UNICEF's Gold accreditation as a Rights-Respecting school. The students gave a presentation to the many Mayors assembled explaining why they thought being members of a Rights-Respecting town was important to them. Colfox teacher, Rebecca Hatch accompanied the children.

The school forms part of the Minerva Learning Trust. Trustee David Powell said: "As we approach the commemoration of the centenary of the end of the First World War it is a fitting tribute to all who sacrificed so much that Bridport declared itself to be 'Rights-Respecting' The rights we all hold were born out of the sacrifice of two world wars."

Cllr Rickard added: "Having the children from Colfox present at the end of our busy Civic Day rounded off proceedings perfectly. The visitors were quite obviously very impressed with their presentation and the incredible progress the students are making towards bringing forward the Rights Respecting concept they are forging not only within their school out now into the wider community. We were so grateful they were able to join us."