A LITTLE bit of Press history will be on show when members of the public get a glimpse into a rarely seen York town house.

St Mary's House, a Victorian town house in Bootham, is throwing open its doors to the public this month as part of a national scheme to show off England's architecture and culture.

The house is currently used as offices by The Council For British Archaeology and is not normally open to the public.

It was once owned by the family of William Hargrove, who were joint proprietors of the York Herald, which later became the Yorkshire Evening Press, now The Press.

A spokesman for the archaeology council said: "Lynne Walker, our historic buildings officer, and other staff, will be taking visitors on a cellar to attic tour of St Mary's House, to discover the people who lived and worked here in the past.

"The building was, at one time, owned by William Hargrove and his family, joint proprietors of the York Herald, which eventually became the Evening Press."

More than 3,000 venues across England are taking part in the Heritage Open Days programme between September 7 and 10.

Run by the Civic Trust and English Heritage, the annual event offers free access to properties usually closed to the public or which charge for admission.