COLCHESTER Town Hall is historic in itself.

But just by looking at it you can see the story of the town’s past depicted within it too, as these vintage images suggest.

The current town hall is built on the site of the original moot hall, first recorded in 1277 and demolished in 1843.

Work on the present building, started in 1897 and designed by John Belcher in the Edwardian Baroque style, was completed at the turn of the century and it was opened in 1902 by the Earl of Rosebery, a former Prime Minister.

It includes Victoria Tower, honouring Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and funded by a donation from businessman and councillor James Paxman.