Hundreds gathered at a Weymouth church to celebrate the life and legacy of a 17th-century merchant whose namesake trust helps youngsters in the town.

The annual service held just before Palm Sunday commemorated the life of Sir Samuel Mico, a wealthy Stuart-era merchant who died in 1666.

It was held at St Mary’s Church and led by the Revd Tom Coopey – his first time holding the service in this role. 

The merchant made Weymouth and the George Inn his home after the many ships he owned began using Weymouth as their home port. The Samuel Mico Trust believes that Mico was also in fact born in Weymouth.

When he died he left as a legacy the building and rents from the waterfront property to a charitable trust - and more than 350 years later, the trust continues to support youngsters by providing educational grants to assist them in their studies and supports those undertaking apprenticeships.

A procession through the town followed the service, which was the 357th since the founding of the trust.

Dorset Echo:

Click through our interactive gallery above to see more photos of the procession

An apprentice aerospace machinist told how he would not have been able to continue learning without the trust. Harry Matthews-Codd, 19, from Portland said: "Without the trust, we would not have been able to afford the tools.

“It has had a massive positive impact, even just the stress relief of not having to worry so much about them.

“We would not have been able to continue learning without the trust.”

Dorset Echo:

Khai Locke-White, also from Portland, went to the University of Exeter to do economics and politics. He was given funds by the trust to attend a 10-week internship at the Tesco head office in London, for which he has now received a return offer. He said: “It was very beneficial. I have a return offer, which the trust has helped me secure."

At the service was Margaret Wakefield, whose father was a beneficiary of the trust.

Mrs Wakefield spoke about the impact it had on his life. She told of how the trust helped her father to pursue his 5-year apprenticeship in bricklaying, changing his fortune and securing his future.

Peter Vowles from Weymouth College spoke about how profoundly the trust affects students, particularly as it often helps fund students in their third year - when government funding can cease.

Mayor of Weymouth Ann Weaving said: “It is always a wonderful occasion. I was impressed with Margaret’s presentation about her father receiving aid from the trust.

"Long may the trust continue to help young people in the town.”