Residents were asked to dig out old photographs and records that help to tell the story of Bermuda’s Parliament ahead of its 400th anniversary.

The milestone will be marked in 2020 and Dennis Lister, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, hoped members of the public could help to showcase all aspects of the island’s political history.

He said: “Next year is a significant year for Bermuda. We have the oldest continuous Parliament outside of Westminster.

“Celebrating the House of Assembly’s 400th year will be an opportunity for us to reflect on our rich and significant history while looking at our future.

“I am asking every Bermudian to comb through their records and share with us anything you can find about Bermuda’s Parliament and Senate.

“We are particularly interested in black Members of Parliament and senators.

“We have access to traditional historical records, but as we know, historical records don’t always reflect the contributions of all members of society.

“We have an opportunity to highlight all aspects of our history.”

The Speaker added: “If you have newspaper clippings, old photographs, essays, records, meeting notes, we welcome them.

“Our plan is to carefully photograph them, to first preserve them and then use them as part of an exhibition, which will be on display next year.”

Mr Lister said that a 400th Anniversary Steering Committee was planning a number of events to take place throughout the year.

He explained: “I will make an announcement on these activities in the coming months.

“I know a number of organisations are also planning commemorative events.

“Please contact my office and share your dates and activities with us.

“We will be sure to add your organisation’s event to the steering committee’s calendar of events.”

The Speaker said documents could be taken to the office of the Clerk to the Legislature at Fourth Floor, Veritas Place, 65 Court Street, Hamilton HM 12.