Nominations open for historical election

Pasture masters manage common land in Beverley, including the Westwood

Nominations have opened for candidates to stand in an election dating back more almost 200 years.

Pasture masters manage the common land in the East Yorkshire town of Beverley.

Twelve are elected each year by the Freemen of Beverley in a ceremony presided over by the town's mayor.

Until 2011 only men were eligible to stand for election.

The market town has a number of areas of common land, including the 500-acre (200-hectare) Westwood which is home to around 300 grazing cows each summer.

Farmers pay a fee to use it.

Pasture masters enforce the bye-laws and the elected post was set up by an act of Parliament in 1836, although the role dates back to at least the 1500s.

Nominations for candidates close on 14 February and the election takes place on 1 March.

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