Residents and businesses have been offered the chance to carve their name into St Albans’ rich history.

The Museum and Galleries Trust is offering people the chance to have their name on decorative wooden boards inside the district’s new museum.

St Albans council’s portfolio holder for leisure Annie Brewster said: “We are amazed by the extraordinary support we are receiving for this new chapter in St Albans’ cultural history.

“I think visiting the benefactors’ walk of fame will be a very important part of the museum and gallery experience.

“Witnessing so many people with current or past links to this great city, and the stories behind them, is very moving.”

The Town Hall is being turned into a new museum and gallery at a cost of £7.75m, 90 per cent of which has come from St Albans council, the National Lottery, and various charities and trusts; but £400k is still required.

The Trust is offering a space on the board for £250, and 1,200 people have already taken up the offer.

Elizabeth Muskett is honouring her father, Peter, and said: “My father has lived for nearly 60 years in St Albans and has made contributions to the city. “He was a governor of several schools and a councillor in the old town hall and I believe having his name on the boards will be a lasting memory of his life and time in St Albans his family can be proud of.”

Stephen Hurle of Jersey Farm said: “Both my son and daughter were born in St Albans. I would like to put their names on the oak panels so later in life they will still feel an association with the museum.”

Several businesses have opted to be £5k gold sponsors, and have their logos on hoardings around the building.

Businessman Rae Borras sponsored the first floor landing with a donation of £30k, and said: “St Albans has proven to be a fantastic place for us to start and grow our business.

“We were delighted to be given the opportunity to support the museum project at the town hall and believe the completed scheme will re-energise this historic building well into the future.”

The last date to submit a name is Friday, December 15.

To find out more visit mydonate.bt.com/events/honoursboard/258950 or call 01727 296148.