A York meals-on-wheels service is soon to celebrate 40 years of ferrying food to hungry households.

Huntington meals-on-wheels, run by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), will reach the four decade milestone in early September.

To celebrate the achievement the WRVS is planning a party, to be attended by old and new members, the Lord Mayor of York, Chas Hall, and the Sheriff of York, Keith Orrell.

Margaret Thomson, one of the organisers of the Huntington service, said: "Hopefully it will be a good day. We have sent invitations to our volunteers from down the years and at the moment 45 are coming. We are looking forward to it."

The anniversary will also be marked with a photograph exhibition at Huntington Library, displaying nostalgic shots from meals on wheels work down the years.

The picture shown here will be among them - but organisers do not know when it was taken.

They have appealed for help from Evening Press readers to date it.

Mrs Thomson said: "The photo was found by my husband's aunt because the 40th anniversary was coming up.

"We know the names of three of the ladies and that they are speaking to the Lord Mayor, but don't know which Lord Mayor is in the picture or when it was taken.

"If anyone can help please contact me."

The volunteers who have been identified are, left to right, Beatrice Thomson, Peggy Mein and Olive Crowther. The names of the fourth volunteer and the Lord Mayor and his consort are unknown.

Huntington meals-on-wheels is always looking for more volunteers. Men or women aged between 17 and 70 are invited to apply. Own transport is preferred but not essential. For more details, or to help date the mystery photograph, phone Mrs Thomson on 01904 768194. To volunteer for the wider York service, phone Jean Davies at the WRVS on 01904 624861.

Updated: 08:40 Wednesday, July 30, 2003