BELMONT'S oldest and youngest citizens gathered to mark a milestone in the village's history.

A special millennium plaque now stands opposite The Black Dog pub as a reminder to future generations of the Year 2000.

The plaque is cut from stone and shows a resolution read out by local resident Ron Ashmore, aged 86, at the village's millennium tree cutting ceremony last December.

Mr Ashmore and Joe Walker, aged 80, have vivid memories of the village over much of the last century.

Mr Walker moved with all his belongings on the back of a cart in 1943 when he married local girl, Rhoda Williams.

Mr Walker said: "The village has changed a lot over the years. I used to know everyone, but now that is different.

"There used to be seven shops here. Now there's only one.

"But the new houses have really altered life here. It's good that it's not been over-developed."

Three of the youngest residents of Belmont, Thomas Carr, aged six, his brother Robert, aged three, and two-year-old sister Bethan, were also at the presentation ceremony.

Chairman of the Village Association, John Chadwick, said: "We wanted to show a cross-section of the community so we asked the oldest and youngest to take part in the presentation.

"The plaque is a permanent memento which hopefully will last for the next 1,000 years so that Belmont residents can look back."