A POLICE chief got a taste of 19th Century justice yesterday when she officially re-opened a prison museum.

North Yorkshire Chief Constable, Della Cannings was at Ripon Police and Prison Museum to perform the opening ceremony.

She was joined by the county's High Sheriff, Caroline Thornton-Berry, West Yorkshire Police Band and the city's mayor, Councillor Stuart Martin.

The museum is housed in the Grade II-listed former Ripon House of Correction. It was built as a jail in 1816 and became a police station in 1887.

Among the items on display are a pillory, a pair of stocks and a whipping post.

The museum re-opened to the public in May following an 18-month restoration project costing £400,000. The Heritage Lottery Fund donated £285,500.

The building has been restored inside, with heating installed, floors levelled and a lift added to give disabled access to the whole building.

Ripon Museums Trust chairman Richard Taylor said: "I am amazed at what our volunteers have been able to achieve.

"Since the empty building was handed back to the trust, members and friends have 'done time' to the tune of over 2,400 hours of work.

"Trust members, friends and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels have scraped, painted, swept, scrubbed, polished, researched stories, refurbished exhibits, prepared graphics, made costumes and even created new inmates."

The museum will remain open on Fridays and Saturdays until mid-December.