A FINAL call is going out to householders who want their properties featured on a village millennium banner which will become a piece of history.

Dozens of homes in Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, have already been sponsored to be "stitched up" and featured on the community banner. It has also proved a novel way of raising cash towards a £250,000 regeneration scheme at Kirkby's Mechanics' Institute, which acts as the village hall.

With the banner nearing completion, the last day for homes to be sponsored will be on Saturday, November 11, when the hall holds an open day. Donations have ranged from 50p to £50.

The event provides an opportunity to see the banner being made and for nimble-fingered stitchers to lend a hand.

In recent months, sponsored homes have been photographed before a team of volunteer stitchers get to work on creating the property for posterity.

This is the second banner created by the 16-strong group, the previous effort marking the inclusion of the area in the Nidderdale Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty in 1996.

During the open day visitors can view or make additions to the new village website, there will be a children's art workshop, and a chance for locals to share their memories as part of a new history project.

Meanwhile, the Kirkby Players will display the five trophies they won at their first attempt in the Richmond play festival at the town's Georgian Theatre. Group members will also be recruiting potential actors and actresses for their pantomime Mother Goose.