PREPARATION for a mayor’s ball has led to the discovery of an 84-year-old copy of the Northern Echo – tucked inside a skirting board in a Richmond hotel.

General manager of the Kings Head Hotel Myckala Smith said she had made the decision to remove the stage in the hotel’s ballroom to make room for Richmond Mayor Bob White’s ball.

She said: Councillor White’s ball was a sell-out, even slightly over the suggested number of 100 guests I told him.

“I thought we could fit everyone in but it would be so much of a squeeze I decided to get our maintenance team to rip out the stage – meaning it is now gone for good.

“But I think it is the right decision because we can now offer larger functions.”

But in tearing out the stage the team found they had to remove a section of skirting board to tidy it up, and in doing so discovered it had been packed with copy of the Northern Echo, dated Wednesday, January 1, 1930.

Ms Smith said: “It is in great condition – the headlines include Ilkley murder victim attacked after death; winners of the Tyne boat race; and Mr and Mrs Ralf Pearson of Hartlepool celebrate their wedding anniversary.

“It is quite exciting. At the hotel we are proud to buy The Northern Echo for our guests every day so it is a fantastic find.”

Coun White said: “The ball was a great success. We had entertainment from 17-year-old singer Robson Field, who did not need much stage space.

“We had 113 guests and 43 chain-holders of some description.”