THE FREEMEN of Hale have been congratulated by the Queen on their 700th anniversary.

The Freemen wrote to Buckingham Palace to tell them that 2004 is the 700th anniversary of the granting of a charter in 1304 to Robert De Holland - the formation of Freemen of Hale as they are still known today.

The response came back sending the Queen's best wishes.

Dignitaries and Freemen from places across the country where the tradition still survives recently attended a major dinner event to mark the occasion.

David Hudson, the Lord Mayor of Hale, said: 'We are unique and people do not appreciate what we have got here in Hale - Freemen across England are flabbergasted that we are still surviving!'