FEARS for the future of a city's 1,000-year hornblowing tradition have started to recede.

Three applications have been received for the post in Ripon following the retirement of postman Alan Oliver, who blew the horn for 20 years.

Plans are being made to interview the applicants soon.

Councillor Stuart Martin, the Mayor of Ripon, who will help select the new hornblower, said he was hopeful of a successful outcome.

He said that if Ripon had not found a replacement, local people would not have let the tradition die.

Coun Martin said that he would have helped out to keep the historic ceremony going.

His predecessor, Hugh Ripley, the first Mayor and last wakeman of Ripon, blew the horn in 1604.

It is blown four times at the Market Square obelisk then at the Mayor's residence.

Coun Martin said that recent publicity about a shortage of applicants had helped generate interest.

The hornblower's post was advertised at £2,025 a year.

However, it was advertised after a poor response and there have been calls for the wage to be increased.

The three deputies are not paid.