THIS new Maldon Town Council logo has been designed to mark the 850th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to the town by King Henry II in 1171.

The granting of the charter on 7 October of that year makes Maldon's the oldest known Essex Borough Charter.

It gave the town rights, which laid the foundations for its evolution into a prosperous market town and established the blueprint for how the town is governed, even today.

Maldon Town Council is currently making plans for marking the anniversary which will include a commemorative church service. In 1971 the 800th anniversary was marked by the printing and distribution of an extensive commemorative brochure.

A spokesperson for the town council said: "We are aiming to do something similar this time, but as an online version tracking the changes in Maldon in the past 50 years."

The Charter logo has been designed by local artist Bill Geller.