SAVE the date and the banner next month as Fife Cultural Trust bid to preserve an ancient piece of Dunfermline's history.

A unique banner that marked the foundation of Dunfermline's Ancient Society of Gardeners in 1716 depicts Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

It is made of silk but "centuries of wear and tear" mean a public appeal is required to raise funds to help conserve it for display in the future.

The target for the public fundraising is £3,000, with £10,000 needed in total.

Lesley Botten, interpretation team leader at Fife Cultural Trust, explains: "We need to fund 250 hours of expert conservation work to stabilise and clean the banner to make it safe to store and display.

"To help raise awareness, we’re inviting the public along to meet Fiona Watt, weaver and textile conservator who will talk about the work needed to make the banner safe to handle and ultimately to be put on display.

"She’ll also be able to give advice on how to look after those most precious of outfits – wedding dresses!

"If the target is reached we plan to put this banner on display with others from the museum collections. If the target is not reached we guarantee to put any money raised towards other conservation projects."

It had been hoped that the banner could be included within the Blooming Marvellous exhibition running at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, but the piece is in "too delicate a condition" to be on display.

Instead, a drop-in event at the venue on Saturday, August 18 will showcase the 18th century relic.

Two free sessions (10.30-12.45pm & 1.30-3.15pm) will run on the day, but the public are encouraged to make a donation to the appeal.