Sidmouth has crowned its new King of Chit.
The Bank Holiday tradition dates back more than 100 years before the town’s Chit Rock was washed into the sea in 1924.
Locals, tourists and previous kings gathered at The Swann Inn to see the coronation of Gareth Topping in his new regal role.
As tradition, the father-of-two was selected in secret and revealed in rhyme by the Golden Goose.
His predecessor Bob Carter presented him with his crown and gown at the announcement last week.
Gareth, who is dad to Lily, five, and Harry, three, said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be named the King of Chit. It’s a bit of weird feeling, my kids were very pleased when they saw me in the robes and the crown.”
His first official duty as king will be to weigh the fish in the pub’s black rod fishing awards.
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