A historic City of Norwich Lord Mayor's medallion is to be auctioned in Suffolk next month.

Eastern Daily Press: Jessie Griffiths, who was Lord Mayor of Norwich in 1969.Jessie Griffiths, who was Lord Mayor of Norwich in 1969. (Image: Archant)

The glittering silver-gilted and enamelled award, which hangs on a strap, was given to Jessie Griffiths in 1969.

Mrs Griffiths was the city's first Tory woman lord mayor, and the fourth woman to hold the post – with the first being Liberal Ethel Colman in 1923, making her the first woman lord mayor in the country.

Speaking at the time of her appointment, Mrs Griffiths said: 'I think women always show a more human approach to problems.

'To be successful councillors they must not try to be masculine, nor yet trade on their femininity.

'Women are capable of doing very tough jobs, that is why I have the greatest respect for the talent of Mrs Barbara Castle [the minister who put through the Equal Pay Act].'

Mrs Griffiths had a successful career at the Ministry of Food, but said she always made time to 'make sure home is a homely place'.

'There is never any excuse for always eating out of tins,' she noted.

The medallion is with Lockdales, the auctioneers of Martlesham, near Ipswich.

It will go under the hammer on June 8.

It has catalogue guide price of £60 to £100.