Honiton town crier Dave Retter thinks this year’s event had the biggest crowd ever.

Honiton’s annual Hot Pennies spectacle took place last month - and it enjoyed a bumper crowd.

Crowds gathered at The Volunteer pub where town crier Dave Retter announced the opening of the fayre.

Dave raised the flower-decked glove to signal the start of the hot penny throwing and the spectators scrabbled to collect as many of the coins as possible before moving on to the next venue.

Dave started his cry at the Volunteer pub and did some another at Bed Expert before doing his final cry from the upstairs window of the Three Tunns.

He said: “I think this year had the biggest crowd ever. It was my 20th year of carrying the hot pennies ceremony and I believe it was the best one.

“For the last two years we have had a big crowd but this year definitely had the biggest crowd I have seen.”

Paul Carter, chairman of Honiton Hot Pennies Cermony Committee, echoed Dave’s views, adding: “This year’s Hot Pennies ceremony was certainly one of the best I can recall and I would like to express my thanks not only to all those that came and joined in so enthusiastically but also to those who made such a contribution behind the scenes.

“I was not alone in congratulating Dave and his helpers for the wonderful decoration of the garlanded pole, it was without doubt the best I have ever seen. The flowers are all provided by local individuals and businesses and we are indebted to their generosity.

“Thanks are also due to Honiton marker manager Tony McCollum and his band of volunteer marshalls for ensuring vehicles and people were separated and to the Devon Freewheelers who ensured all the signs were in place and taken down afterwards.

“Last but not least we are indebted to the good offices of Honiton Town Council.”