THE UK’s first permanent 'Rainbow Plaque' has been unveiled at a York church.

The memorial plaque to Anne Lister, a '19th century gender non-conforming diarist and entrepreneur,' 'has been installed on the wall outside Holy Trinity Church in Goodramgate.

There are 70 inconic blue plaques across York which commemorate famous people, places or events but, with its distinctive rainbow border, this one -produced in partnership with York Civic Trust -is said to mark a key moment in LGBT+ history.

Judith Patrick, of The Churches Conservation Trust, which runs the church, said it was the site of the first ever recorded ‘marital commitment’ between two women, without legal recognition, 180 years before same-sex marriage was legalised in England.

Dr Kit Heyam, co-organiser of York's Rainbow Plaques project, said it served as a permanent memorial to Anne and her commitment to Ann Walker.