HELMSLEY is set to play a role in the celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.

The town is one of 26 towns and villages nationwide with aristocratic links to the signing by King John at Runnymede in 1215.

Helmsley is one of four North Yorkshire towns involved in the milestone event planned for 2015, along with Thirsk, Skipton and Topcliffe.

Helmsley’s link to the Magna Carta is through its baron, Robert de Ros, who died in 1227. Thirsk’s link is through William de Mowbray, Skipton’s William de Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle, and Topcliffe’s connection is Richard de Percy.

Exhibitions of the Magna Carta are planned on June 15, 2015, and calls have been made to declare it a public holiday.

The rulings enshrined in Magna Carta, which stemmed from a row between King John and English barons, still has some resonance in modern-day English law, one of them being to clarify the right of trial by jury, says Master of the Rolls, Lord Neuberger, the Trust chairman.

Coun Chris Parkin, vice-chairman of Helmsley Town Council, said the involvement of Helmsley and the other North Yorkshire towns, was of major significance and could attract many visitors.

It was possible, added Coun Parkin, that Helmsley could host a meeting of the Northern Baronetcy towns involved in the Magna Carta celebrations which would further enhance its image as a historic tourist town.

The first event will be a planning meeting at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, on May 28.