HARWICH Town Council has received a special visitors book to be used next year to mark the 400th anniversary of the town's royal charter.In 1604, Harwich was granted a charter by King James I, which gave the town the right to elect a mayor, high steward and a council, establishing the local government system in Harwich which we know today.

HARWICH Town Council has received a special visitors book to be used next year to mark the 400th anniversary of the town's royal charter.

In 1604, Harwich was granted a charter by King James I, which gave the town the right to elect a mayor, high steward and a council, establishing the local government system in Harwich which we know today.

The Townswomen's Guild has traditionally donated the visitors book for the Guildhall and agreed to provide a commemorative one for the town's anniversary.

Garry Calver, chairman of the Guildhall Committee, said: "We have always appreciated the kind gesture of the Townswomen's Guild in providing the Guildhall's visitors book and it is marvellous that we have a special one for this very important year.

"The book has been customised to bear Harwich's crest and the Charter 400 logo and will become part of our civic archive at the end of the year."

The guild presented the book yesterdayto Harwich Mayor Les Double.

The royal charter also bears the name of one of the first Harwich councillors, Christopher Jones, who was the master of the Mayflower, which carried the Pilgrim Fathers across the sea to America in search of a new life of freedom.