IT’S a bizarre ceremony that has villagers patiently queuing for a bag of flour.

Each March families from Tichborne, Cheriton and Land End – east of Winchester – descend on a local estate to receive a handout.

It began in the 1200s when Lady Mabella of Tichborne House asked her husband to help the poor. He refused but told her he would give away whatever crop she could manage to crawl over.

Despite being on her deathbed, she struggled over a 23-acre cornfield.

She challenged her husband to give the crop to villagers, in what became know as The Tichborne Dole.

Bread was doled out on an annual basis until 1796 when unruly elements in the village caused the tradition to be suspended.

It was quickly reinstated with flour 20 years later.

The current owner of Tichborne House Anthony Loudon, pictured with his family, handed out flour to more than 100 locals.

The event raised money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.