AN ancient order of Freemen is to break with centuries of tradition – by admitting female members.

The Durham Freemen has been an all-male organisation since it was founded, to protect the interests of city artisans, more than 700 years ago.

To join you had to be the son or son-in-law of a Freeman or serve an apprenticeship in the city.

But John Heslop, leader of the Freemen, is ready to change the rules.

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act, which received Royal Assent in November, gave each local order powers to determine its own entry requirements – but made clear, whatever the precise rules agreed, that equal rights must be given to women.

Mr Heslop, whose official title is chairman of the guild of curriers and tallow chandlers and chairman of the wardens of the City of Durham Freemen, is leading a working group to draw up Durham’s response.

He is hopeful that within a year, Durham will have its first Freewomen.

Mr Heslop said: “Natural justice isn’t served by the present arrangements.

“Traditions have to change otherwise organisations effectively become strangled by them. Traditions should be something of help, not hindrance.”

Mr Heslop, 64, inherited Freemen membership from his father-in-law, George Ridley.

Among the first Durham Freewomen could be Mr Heslop’s daughter, Kate Luther, who lives in Spennymoor, County Durham.

But, depending on the rules agreed, Mr Ridley’s four daughters – Sandra, Karen, Laura and Barbara, granddaughters Helen, Eve, Carolyn and Charlotte, and their partners and husbands could be eligible.

There are 85 Durham Freemen living in the city, with about 100 elsewhere.

The Freemen are also having to consider what constitutes Durham, because its administrative boundaries disappeared with the demise of Durham City Council last April.

Mr Heslop believes whatever changes are agreed, they could lead to Freemen and Freewoman playing a more active and visible role in Durham.

He said: “I believe that not only will new rules refresh this organisation with more people, but refresh it with an improved age profile and gender profile.

“People can be reassured, from my point of view, that we will be about people, not about gender.”