INDEPENDENCE celebrations in Hay-on-Wye could become an annual event following a successful weekend of activities.

Hundreds of people from across the world gathered in the border town last weekend to mark 40 years since Richard Booth declared Hay-on-Wye an Independent Kingdom and appointed himself as King.

Over 100 people took part in a celebration procession on Saturday through the town and joined hundreds more for a ceremony in the town square.

Hay-on-Wye Mayor Fiona Howard thought that it was a 'wonderful' event.

"We declared Hay an independent kingdom 40 years ago so we were ahead of time compared to Brexit," said Cllr Howard.

"The parade through the town was excellent and I am hoping that it will become an annual event. A lot of people were coming into the Tourist Information Centre asking about the event so it definitely brought trade into the town."

Hay-on-Wye Chamber of Commerce Chairman Andrew Williams said that he would support the idea of making it an annual event.

He added: "A lot of the shops and businesses are saying it was a busier day than they were expecting.

"There was a big contingent of people from outside the town who came especially for the event. It's the kind of event that used to happen 34 years ago when Hay was starting out as a book town.

"I would like to see something like it next year and there is no reason why it can't be an annual festival."

Bookstagrammers, who take pictures of books for online platform Instagram, arrived from all over Europe, America and Canada for the event.