POLICE are studying closed circuit television film in a bid to track down youths who taunted Ripon's hornblower during the city's ancient nightly ceremony.

Despite a barrage of anti-social behaviour, stand-in hornblower Mark Sidwell ensured that the traditional ceremony of four blasts on the horn went ahead at the Market Place obelisk.

About 15 tourists, who gathered to watch the ancient ceremony last week, expressed disgust at obscene language hurled at Mr Sidwell, who was dressed in traditional fawn frock coat and tricorn hat.

Inspector Craig Linton, of North Yorkshire Police, said police viewed the incident seriously and warned that firm action would be taken.

He said they were keen to ensure such incidents were not repeated so that visitors could continue to enjoy the tradition.

Mr Sidwell said the tourists were disgusted at the language and behaviour of the youths involved.

Mr Sidwell, a 32-year-old engineer and semi-professional musician, said he had never encountered such a serious situation before, although he had heard bad language from youths walking past.

At the time, the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Stuart Martin, his deputy, Coun Sid Hawke, and the city's ser-geant at mace, Jim Vauvert, were in the Market Place returning from a civic engagement and helped to calm the situation down.

The incident comes as Rip-on is seeking a new hornblower following Alan Oliver's retirement after 20 years.

Mr Sidwell is one of three unpaid deputies carrying out the nightly ritual until a full-time replacement is found.

Ripon's hornblowing tradition started when residents paid an insurance fee to the wakeman, then responsible for the safety of citizens from the time the horn was blown at 9pm. The wakeman had to compensate residents if their properties were burgled after the curfew had been sounded.