A CITY proud of its past has decided the time could be right to put some of its hidden social history items on permanent display.

Over the years, Ripon has been presented with dozens of gifts by residents and visitors, marking community life in a city which has links with Saxon times.

Gifts presented to Ripon City Council range from postcards depicting old Ripon, to a set of wine and sherry glasses embossed with the city's horn.

Plates bearing the Ripon civic crest and other items of social history, including details about the opening ceremony of the first council house have all had to be kept in storage.

Town clerk Yvonne Covell said there were boxes filled with items of interest to visitors, but nowhere to put them on permanent display.

Now the city council has asked its civic events committee to consider providing display cabinets in the Town Hall for the gifts.

Interest in the idea was sparked when a former resident asked if he could donate the mallet used to lay foundations for Bondgate Bridge. The offer has been made by Derek Thompson, now living in Cheshire.

The mallet was used by his great-grandfather Thomas who was Mayor of Ripon when work started on the bridge in 1892.

The city council has now asked its civic events committee to look at the idea of providing display cabinets.

The civic regalia is kept locked away, but parties wishing to view items can make appointments to visit at the Town Hall