IN A ceremony dating back almost 1,000 years, Admiral Lord Michael Boyce has been installed as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports.

Lord Boyce told guests at the installation ceremony that he was only too conscious of the honour of the post and astonished to be among the long list of his predecesors, including the Duke of Wellington, Sir Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother, whom he succeeds in the ancient post.

The office has been vacant since her death three years ago. Lord Boyce paid tribute to her 23 years in office and said she was "most famous and most loved".

He also praised the role of the Lord Warden and said the history and the traditions the Cinque Ports maintained and enhanced the sense of community and encouraged visitors, which was important to regional and local economies.

Lord Boyce arrived in Dover on board HMS Albion at the Port of Dover before being taken to Dover Castle in an open-top Rolls Royce. He struck an inpressive pose as he acknowledged the cheers of the crowds through the town centre.

Mayors from the Cinque Ports and officials from the Confederation gathered for the Hallowing Service in the church of St Mary in Castro. Lord Falconer, the Lord Chancellor, was among those present.

The Installation Ceremony itself took place at a sitting of the Court of Shepway in the ancient Priory of St Martin, now Dover College, in the town centre.

A 19-gun salute rang out across the town, fired from HMS Albion, and there was a flypast of Sea Harriers.

There were disappointingly few people lining the route. Only around 200 were in the Market Square, and another few hundred in the main street and on the roads leading to the college entrance.

Children from local schools were among those taking part in the pageantry as the Lord Warden's procession made its way from the college to Dover Town Hall for lunch.

A cocktail party for 300 guests was held on board HMS Albion, followed by the Royal Marines Beating of Retreat against the backdrop of floodlit Dover Castle.