YORK residents are being invited to take part in a unique procession to mark the official opening of the city’s newly restored Mansion House this Saturday.

The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Barbara Boyce, will lead a procession from the Merchant Adverturers Hall to the Mansion House at 10am.

The civic party will be joined by the York Guard and the traditional musicians York Waites and are also inviting local residents to process with them.

The procession will end at the Mansion House, marking its official opening after a £2.6m restoration programme.

York residents will be able to tour the house free of charge on Saturday and Sunday, as part of Residents’ First Weekend.

Cllr Boyce, said: “The procession and official opening mark the end of the work to restore the house to its former glory. I hope that residents will take the opportunity to join with us in celebrating this historic moment, as well as taking a tour of the house.”

Cllr Keith Orrell, interim executive member for Economic Development and Community Engagement, added: “The restoration – the biggest since the house was finished in 1732 – enables visitors to find out so much more about the Mansion House and the role it has played in York’s history.

“The interactive pods, new displays and audio bring the house to life and show how it would have looked and been used throughout its long and eventful history. I hope that residents take this opportunity to engage with York’s illustrious civic past.”

The restoration includes a new-look exterior, with a brick-coloured facade and a polychrome crest – a colour scheme voted for by York residents in 2016 – and thought to be similar to how the Mansion House would have looked in the 1890s.

Visitors will also be able to see the most unique civic silver collection in the country, thanks to a newly curated exhibition of the house’s silver, which includes the York made Gold Goblet, dating from 1672.

York residents can get half price entry to the Mansion House with a York Card or proof of residence, except on Residents’ First weekend, when entry is free.