THE man who has saved Ripon's 1,000-year hornblowing ceremony from becoming history has admitted: "I've never blown a horn in my life before."

But George Pickles is learning fast. And his wife of 46 years, Lilian, has turned into his sternest critic, passing judgement on his notes as he Mr Pickles has been given a horn by Ripon City Council so he can blast towards perfection before making his debut, hopefully at the end of this month.

"There won't be a big blast on the trumpets when I arrive to do the job for the first time because I'm still learning the ropes," said Mr Pickles, 67, a popular figure in Harrogate's Valley Gardens where he runs the golf course, crazy golf and tennis courts.

A violinist and pianist, he says he was able to produce a note from the horn at the first attempt and says he has no fears of taking centre stage in the market place each night.

When the former hornblower Alan Oliver stepped down after 20 years in the job, it looked as if Ripon City Council would not be able to find a replacement.

But when Mr Pickles heard that the tradition might die, he stepped forward to join applicants for the post.

Although he has lived in Ripon only three years, Mr Pickles, of Skelldale Park, Ripon, said: "It's pay back time. People were so kind to my wife and I when we moved here that I want to say thank you to them by doing this job."

Every night at 9pm, the horn is blown at each corner of the market place obelisk - and then the hornblower relays the history of the ceremony to visitors

He must blow the horn outside the home of the mayor beneath a ceremonial lamp.

The Mayor of Ripon, Coun Stuart Martin, who took part in the selection process, introduced the new hornblower to members of the city council this week.

A retired machine tool engineer, Mr Pickles and his wife lived at Roberttown, near Heckmondwike, before retiring to Ripon.