A single peppercorn was passed from Governor Sir John Vereker to St. George's Mayor Mariea Caisey to pay for the rent of the State House for another year.

And for once the heat of the day did not topple any of the Regiment soldiers who took part in the ceremony in the town square yesterday that was witnessed by dignitaries representing Government, local Government, Church, Freemasons and a number of civic and voluntary organisations.

The historic tradition of a peppercorn being presented by the Queen's representative to cover the rent for the State House in St. George's brought crowds of spectators.

It was the first time that Ms Caisey has taken part as Mayor of the town, having been elected in January.

She said: "It all went very well and I'm so proud of the Regiment. No-one flopped out which is the first time I can remember that not happening. There was a bit of a breeze that I think helped."

The next official civic event in the town is likely to be the "roof wetting" ceremony for the recently completed Town Hall roof, which has now been fully restored after it was damaged by Hurricane Fabian in 2003.

The new roof was commented on by Sir John who also praised the work done to turn the Queen's Warehouse in a World Heritage Visitor Centre.

"I am sure I speak for all of us in saying that we hope that the opening of the Visitor Centre in June, and the other measures you have described, will enable you to realise your vision of a renaissance in the number of visitors to the town," he said.

And praising the collaborative efforts of different groups in St. George's, he added: "I look to the day when our many visitors will not only start their day at a fine new Visitor Centre, but will also enjoy strolling down the product of your Waterfront Development Plan and will spend even more of their dollars, euros and pounds in exciting shops and restaurants and, at the end of the day, will rest their weary heads in a wide choice of hotels."