A CITY'S newly-installed hornblower wants to bring a touch of professionalism to a nightly ceremony by handing out business cards to tourists.

The idea is just one of several by Ripon's 67-year-old chief hornblower, George Pickles, to move the ancient ceremony into the 21st century.

Mr Pickles, who is aided by three deputies, decided to buy 500 business cards for £82 from his own pocket.

"I thought it was much more professional to hand visitors a business card than writing my details on the back of a cigarette packet when tourists want to send me pictures they have taken or contact me via the town hall," said Mr Pickles.

The ceremony is officially known as the Setting of the Watch and dates from 886.

Mr Pickles has put a message on the business card which says the watch is set - "sleep safe in your beds, goodnight and God bless."

Meanwhile, one of the deputies, Eugene Boarman, wants to introduce a Ripon wooden penny, graced by the city's coat of arms, for visitors celebrating birthdays or wedding anniversaries.

A thousand pilot pennies have been bought at the hornblowers' expense for £75.

Mr Pickles says they have proved popular and he now hopes the city council will adopt the idea of making them a Ripon keepsake.

Mr Pickles, who is also aided by Mark Sidwell and Brian Rushworth, wants the council to give the go-ahead to produce a carrying case for the horn and another frock coat for use during the ceremonies.