THE most important words in the history of Hartlepool are about to go on display in the town's civic centre.

This year is the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter to the town, by King John.

Hartlepool is celebrating the anniversary with a variety of events during the year, and the town will also have a permanent reminder of the festivities.

The council's charter steering group, which is coordinating the celebration events, has presented the town with an exact replica of the charter roll, bestowed on February 8, 1201.

The original is preserved among other historic documents in the public record office, in Kew, London.

The charter made Hartlepool into a borough, and allowed the town to govern itself.

Mayor of Hartlepool Frank Rogers said: "The rights which the charter conferred greatly increased the prosperity of the town, and laid the foundations for its later development.

"Its growth since then is something of which we can all be extremely proud."

A copy of the charter document will also be presented to St Hilda's Church, in recognition of the important role of the church in the town's development.