THE HISTORIC Southampton tradition of "Beating the bounds" that dates back at least 800 years was carried out by children with severe physical disabilities at a Southampton school.

Enthusiastic youngsters from the Cedar School in Redbridge, enjoyed beating down the undergrowth with canes just outside the school grounds adjacent to Redbridge Lane, to clear the old boundary of Southampton.

The ceremony, attended by the Sheriff of Southampton, Councillor Harry Mitchell, used to be carried out by the mayor and sheriff who toured the boundary on horseback clearing the undergrowth to check it was still intact.

It was ceased in the mid 1800s but was resumed in 1957 after a 100-year gap. The ceremony takes place on the first Tuesday after Michaelmas (September 29).

In more recent years the Sheriff of Southampton has taken over the tradition.

Councillor Mitchell said: "It is a very historic occasion. Normally we have children from different schools helping.

"I wanted to have children with special needs involved this time round and I spend a lot of time at this school so it was a good choice.

"Also it's a great place to carry out the ceremony because the school fence marks the exact boundary of the city of Southampton in the north-west.