Top judges and others from the legal profession attended the annual Kent judiciary service at Canterbury Cathedral.

Among the 300-strong congregation was the third most senior judge in the country, Master of the Rolls, Sir Anthony Clarke, QC.

Judge Andrew Patience, resident judge at Maidstone, the most senior of a group of circuit judges present at the ceremony, was accompanied by his wife, Judge Adele Williams, who has recently been appointed resident judge at Canterbury.

Also attending were district judges, barristers, solicitors, crown court recorders, and chairmen of magistrates’ benches from all over the county.

Other guests included the High Sheriff of Kent, Richard Oldfield, High Sheriffs from other counties, chairman of Kent County Council, Cllr Peter Lake, and the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Carolyn Parry.

The service, which was revived five years ago, was conducted by the Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Robert Willis.