Otley’s Town Mayor and local police officers will help launch the Courthouse Timeline this weekend.

The fruits of the project, a series of display boards that are going up in the building’s old cell block detailing its rich history, will be unveiled on Saturday.

The Timeline is the work of the Otley Courthouse Memories Group, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and is intended to provide a permanent historical record of the venue’s changing role since 1853.

The Courthouse was a prominent local law enforcement base for much of its lifetime, before being transformed into an arts centre in May 2004.

It has also served as a location for the shooting of television police drama Heartbeat.

There will be a variety of free, family-focused activities between 11am and 2.30pm on Saturday to mark both the Timeline’s launch and the arts centre’s tenth aninversary.

Visitors will be able to hear stories, have their ‘mug shots’ and fingerprints taken, make brass rubbings and take part in trails and puzzle games.

A film illustrating the changes in Otley over the last century will be shown, too, while the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be present throughout.

Town Mayor Councillor Pam Gill will be among the guests.