THE Sheriff of York has carried out the city's annual Assize of Ale in a tradition going back many centuries.

Since medieval times, it has been traditional for there to be an 'assize' of the city's public houses every year to make sure unscrupulous landlords don't cheat on quantity or price - and to check that their ale is drinkable.

It has been the sheriff's job to do this each year since the city's first two sheriffs were appointed in 1396, during the reign of King Richard II.

The Sheriff - aka former primary school headteacher Verna Campbell first read a proclamation from the steps of the Mansion House before she and the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Keith Orrell, led 'inspection tours' of the city's pubs.

Each took their own route, visiting five pubs along the way before winding up at Brew York in Walmgate.

They were helped by 'Sergeants' - or concerned citizens willing to help them with the serious businesses of tasting the beer along the way.

Earlier, there was a pillory and stall in St Helen's Square, with the York Waites on hand to provide some courtly music.

All the money raised from the assize went to the Lord Mayor's charities:York Blind and Partially Sighted Society, The Island, which mentors children and young people in York and York Music Hub, which provides opportunities for children and young people to learn music.