TWO PROFESSORS traded Punches on the beach in front of an audience of well-wishers.

Punch and Judy man Professor Guy Higgins was presented with a picture, borough crest and certificate from Weymouth and Portland's mayor as he officially retired after 30 years of performing - passing the baton and baby to Professor Mark Poulton.

The departing professor was surprised to see himself appear on stage in the form of a specially made puppet, as his successor Professor Poulton began his summer season in Weymouth.

Professor Higgins, 71, said: "I'm used to have a lot of people around me on the beach but when I finished I thought I would quietly disappear. I'm rather touched that so many people have put in an appearance to see me on my way."

He added that after ill health he could no longer complete the full 130-day summer season performing on the beach but may return to do the occasional show.

His successor, Professor Mark Poulton, 33, was inspired to become a Punch and Judy man after watching Professor Higgins perform when he was four years old. Professor Poulton said: "I went back to where we were staying, took the stuffing out of my

teddies and started performing the show. We used to come back to Weymouth every year for four or five years and he put me in the right direction but it was up to me to put in the work - we have both got very different shows."

Professor Poulton, who is performing the summer shows after working in Paignton, has been working professionally as a Punch and Judy man since he was 18. "I was working the summer season while everyone else was swotting for their exams," he said. "It's the beach shows I'm interested in rather than the private ones. It's hard work to present Punch and Judy for a living. If people don't put money in the box you don't eat, so you have to put on a quality show," he added.

Borough mayor Lynne Herbert said Professor Higgins had been a "tremendous ambassador" to the town bringing world wide publicity through his appearances on television show including Hi-de-Hi!, Jim'll Fix It and the Royal Variety Show.

She said he would be missed by thousands of children and those who had grown up watching him.