TWO community stalwarts will be given the freedom of their city at a ceremony later this month.

Former Ripon mayors Doreen Spence and John Richmond have been nominated for the honour by the city council.

Mrs Spence, who was awarded an MBE for services to the community in 1999, is best known for her 50 years of service to the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, which she founded in the city.

She established the meals on wheels service and still delivers meals to the elderly.

Mrs Spence has also been a committee member of Ripon YMCA for more than 45 years. She was mayor in 1992/1993 and the mayoress when her late husband, Jim Spence, was mayor.

A fundraiser for St Gemma's Hospice, supporter of Guides and Brownies and governor of local schools, she was an independent Ripon city councillor for 17 years before stepping down last year.

Mr Richmond, a retired hotelier and former Ripon city, Harrogate borough and North Yorkshire county councillor, has also been the city's deputy hornblower.

Initially a Conservative councillor but later an Independent, Mr Richmond campaigned to prevent Ripon Grammar School becoming a comprehensive.

He joined Ripon City Council in 1967 and retired in 1981. Mr Richmond also played a role in enhancing entrances to Ripon by planting daffodils, including along the city's new bypass.

He was one of Yorkshire's longest serving Methodist lay preachers but resigned in protest over lack of support for the war against terrorism. Mr Richmond, of Harrogate Road, Ripon, remains a member of the Methodist Church.

The honour will be conferred at a city council meeting on January 26.