THREE Romsey personalities took part in a Maundy Thursday shoeshine. The Revd Tim Sledge, Mayor John Ray and MP, Sandra Gidley, buffed up the public’s shoes free of charge.

The vicar, who started the tradition in Romsey, said: “Maundy Thursday is the day Christians remember the night before Jesus died, when He washed the disciples’ feet. We can’t really wash people’s feet on this day, but we can shine shoes.

“All we were trying to do in a simple practical way was demonstrate the care and service, which we are about in our different jobs and roles.

“On the first Maundy Thursday, Jesus showed this love in a way which would have stopped people in the street, because it was different and surprising and we wanted to do the same.”

Said Mrs Gidley said: “We had plenty of customers. Members of the public were very surprised to get something for free. We got through quite a lot of polish.” And the mayor added: “It was brilliant fun. All three of us had a good time and people were amazed to see the MP, the mayor and the priest doing it. Most of those I spoke to understood the reason why we were doing it.”