A TRADITION that has spanned at least five generations was kept up this week when a family achieved what is thought to be a unique honour.

Darren Ridley Brown has been made a Freeman of the City of Durham - joining his father and grandfather as three generations of the same family to hold the historic title at the same time.

Remarkably, the same family managed the same feat almost 50 years ago.

The Ridley Brown family made headlines in 1957 when grandfather William, who had held the ancient honour since 1909, was joined by his son Charles and 21-year-old grandson, James, in being made freemen of the city.

William and Charles died within six months of each other in 1970 leaving James as the only representative of the family to hold the post.

Now the family has achieved the honour for a second time. James, now 70, was joined by his son, Robert, in 1986 and at a ceremony in Durham Town Hall this week, 19-year-old Darren became the latest Ridley Brown to hold the title.

Also made up to be a Freeman on Monday was Robert's nephew 21-year-old Michael Paul Neale.

James said: "It's a great honour for the family."

Although there are a number of honorary freemen, there are now less than 70 fully-fledged freemen of the city left.

The status of freeman is granted to craftsmen who served their apprenticeship within the city walls and was originally passed down to the eldest son of the family - although a recent change also allows other sons to hold the title.

James, who was born in Saddler Street but now lives in The Grove, Coxhoe, was an apprenticed joiner and warden of The Joiners' Guild.