A city trail charting a thousand-year-old piece of heritage will be opened tomorrow.

The Sanctuary Way in Ripon features seven replica sanctuary crosses and a series of information boards.

Maps and leaflets giving details of the trail have also been published.

Only one of the original sanctuary crosses still remains. It stands at Sharow and is the responsibility of the National Trust.

King Athelstan granted the right of sanctuary to Ripon as part of the Liberty of St Wilfrid - Ripon's patron saint - in 937AD.

It gave one night's sanctuary to anyone who was within the boundary of the settlement. Eight sanctuary crosses were created to mark the area. The replica crosses have been situated as near to the original sites as possible.

The project was carried out by the Rotary clubs of Ripon and Ripon Rowels to mark the centennial year of Rotary International last year. They were helped by pupils from schools in Ripon, who have adopted some of the crosses.

Ripon Mayor, Councillor John Stockdale, will formally accept the seven restored crosses tomorrow.

A service of dedication will be held at midday in the cathedral. It will be conducted by Canon Michael Glanville-Smith, the acting Dean and Canon Residentiary.

The service will be attended by schoolchildren and members of the Rotary clubs.

It will be followed by a procession to the first information board situated at the tourist information centre.

Coun Stockdale said: "The city council applaud the Rotary clubs of Ripon in their initiative to restore the sanctuary crosses, a valuable piece of Ripon's history.

"After much hard work the project is now complete and as mayor I would like personally to congratulate both clubs on this fine achievement."

Tony Boddy, president of the Ripon club, said: "We are delighted to have marked our Rotary International centennial year with the completion and handing over of this project to the City of Ripon."