FROM an antique wedding band to a sales ledger dating back to 1872, the cabinet in front of Parsons jewellers contains priceless treasures telling the story of its 300-year history.

Since managing director Paul Davis first started displaying items from the firm's history, to mark the 300th anniversary year, he has been staggered by the family heirlooms people have uncovered.

Every item in the glass cabinet at the front of the shop, in The Mall, Broadmead, is at least 100 years old, from printed paper bags with the firm's original Old Market address, to silver bread knives and rings, all in original boxes.

Mr Davis, who took over the firm 10 years ago, said: "We have kept everything. Inside we've got pictures of the shop when it opened in 1710 in Redcross Street and of the other shops but I'm amazed with the items people have been bringing in."

The very first shop, in Old Market, was founded by George Edgecumbe, a craftsman who had trained as a brass founder and then developed an interest in clock-making.

The firm, which is Bristol's oldest, is also celebrating having supplied 10 generations of wedding rings in the past three centuries.