Old news becomes talking point for bar's regulars

It is the stuff of perfect pub conversations.

So much so, one of York's newest bars has decorated its walls with more than a dozen blown up posters of pages of the Yorkshire Post from the 1890s.

The unconventional artwork at Stonegate Yard Bar and Brasserie, Little Stonegate, has proved a real scoop with drinkers and diners alike.

General manager Andrew Wingfield, 37, said: "The stories are very dramatic, with lots of murder and mayhem, but that is exactly what we were looking for and the posters look brilliant.

"It was something we wanted to do as soon as we opened, this is a beautiful old building and this is in keeping with that style.

"They are really popular with our customers. People keep wandering over when they are in the bar and even walking in from outside.

"It has taken a long time to get the posters up but we are absolutely delighted with the results."

The three foot by two foot posters were designed by local York artist "Milladdio" who sifted through the Yorkshire Post archives in Leeds.

He chose a number of stories ranging from murders and riots to bizarre accidents, weather reports and old adverts for pills to cure the common cold.

The artist pasted photographs of the pages into a cinematic-style frames and then meticulously aged the paper using varnish, tea bags and coffee.

"I usually paint portraits but this was a hugely interesting change of direction," the 47-year-old said:

"In the archives we came across some brilliant stories and it was amazing to see the different style of writing and the way news was covered back then.

"We kept whole stories in, not just the headlines, because they are worth the read.

"My favourite is the man who fell off the theatre balcony.

"He was late and walking in during the second act to sit with his friends.

"He fell 30ft but was somehow OK and the reporter writes how the play resumed within five minutes. What a brilliant scoop.

"I loved the old weather reports as well, which used to be placed on the front page and had a picture of a giant barometer."

The 14 posters are hung up in a passageway leading into the bar.