U1: "Historic" Lord Mayor's number plate up for sale in Leeds
Leeds City Council is flogging off the custom plate - belonging to the Lord Mayors of Leeds
A unique custom number plate from vehicles used by the Lord Mayors of Leeds for more than 120 years has officially gone up for sale.
Three specialist dealers have been appointed to handle the process for Leeds City Council, with prospective buyers having a month to submit their bids.
The plate, simply reading 'U1', was the first to be issued in Leeds after the 1903 Motor Car Act was passed - requiring all vehicles to have a number plate.
It was bought by Leeds resident Rowland Winn, who later passed it to his friend Arthur Currer Briggs when he was elected Lord Mayor of Leeds.
The U1 plate has been used on vehicles for the Lord Mayor ever since, but is now being sold to help the council pay for essential services.
Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said:
"This is a very exciting opportunity for someone to buy a piece of Leeds history while at the same time helping us address what is an incredibly difficult financial situation."