Ludlow councillors told to wear ceremonial gowns

Town councillors have been ordered to don ceremonial gowns for the first meeting in Ludlow's Guildhall for a quarter of a century – despite some claiming it is "unnecessary dressing up".

Mayor John Aitken gave a casting vote in favour of bringing back the mace and traditional gowns for the Ludlow Town Council meeting on October 24 at the former magistrates court building.

It was one of the oldest courts in the country before closing in April as part of government cuts.

Town clerk Veronica Calderbank last night said members should wear gowns as it was an important milestone in the history of the Mill Street building, which could be turned into new council offices as part of a £2.5 million transformation of the town.

Ms Calderbank said: "This will be the first proper town council meeting in there since 1986 and gowns, formalities and mace would mark that."

But Councillor Amanda Pope said: "Dressing up just seems completely over the top to me and unnecessary."