THE links between the real Lord Grantham and Ripon - fictionally familiar to viewers of the television series Downton Abbey - will be remembered at the city’s Prison and Police Museum next week.

A plaque to celebrate the work of The 3rd Baron Grantham and the building’s history as a police station from 1887 to 1958, will be unveiled by Richard Compton of Newby Hall, Lord Grantham’s great-great-great-great grandson.

Lord Grantham of Newby Hall, near Ripon, was an amateur architect, and designed the cell block that houses the museum that was added to Ripon House of Correction in 1816.

Richard Taylor, chairman of the Ripon Museum Trust, said: “When Julian Fellowes set Downton Abbey near Ripon and had it occupied by Lord Grantham, he was following in great footsteps.

“The 3rd Lord Grantham, later Earl de Grey, was a great supporter of Ripon and the uncle of the Marquess of Ripon, another great local benefactor.

"We are delighted that their descendant, Richard Compton, is able to unveil the plaque.”