THE people of Truro have good reason to be proud of the city as it celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.

The former port is the county's first and only city and has over the years become the county town, taking over from Bodmin, as its administrative centre.

This week the 125 years were celebrated both in the city centre and at the cathedral, which caused the former town to become a city when it was born.

There have been several weeks of celebration in the city to mark the occasion this year, not least in special eclesiastical exhibitions inside the cathedral.

More recently a street carnival, revived after a gap of eight years, was back with a bang and deemed hugely successful.

On Thursday last week there was the unveiling of a historic illuminated manuscript at the Muncipal Buildings and a special cathedral service.

The illuminated document details the names of every successive chairman of the City Chamber of Commerce from the day 125 years ago when the city came into being.

Peter Lowe, secretary of chamber. which presented the document to the city council. said it was a "beautiful tribute" to the city and an archival record of a particularl part of the chamber's history.

"It records the names of illustrious citizens of Truro who have played a singificant role in the development of the city and of the chamber," he said.

Milestones came from time to time, but a 125th was "quite an achievement" and one worth marking, said Mr Lowe.

The framed manuscript will hang on the wall in the city's main council chamber serving as a reminder the work that has gone into making the city what it is today.

Mayor Ron Clarke said it was a special and important day. He was honoured to be the mayor at a time in Truro's history which had been such a landmark.

Truro was feeling good and it was good to have that feeling cemented with a 125th birthday party during which everyone could join in, he said. Truronians were proud of their city and of their community.

He hoped the city would continue to grow and meet the needs of those who lived in and around it.

The manuscript contains a series of vignettes detailing the history of Truro in four parts. The first shows Truro's geographical position on the peninsula; the second, a Victorian view of the town; another is a view of the Cathedral built as a consequence of the creation of the bishoric by Queen Victoria; and the fourth is a contempory view of the city.

Jeremy Dowling, on behalf of the Diocese of Truro, founded the same year, said the link between the church and the city had never been stronger. All those within the diocese, including the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Bill Ind, wished it good fortune for the future.

Last week there was also a parade of civic dignitories to the cathedral where a special service was held. The service was led by the dean of Truro, The Very Rev Michael Moxon.