The bequest from the Foundation for Bronze Studies, came after a particularly severe winter and rainy summer. More than £25,000 had been paid out to protect the famous nymphs in City Square. Experts claimed the rain was gradually washing away the bronze coating. Special polymer-coated umbrellas put up over the statues brought howls of complaints from environmental groups and taxpayers. This was 1978 and the photo is one of 23 charting the year in the life of Leeds and its residents. Other city centre landmarks are also in focus as well as memories from the suburbs including Harehills, Woodhouse, Otley, Pudsey and Ilkley. READ MORE: 12 of the best colour photos celebrate life in Leeds city centre during the 1970s LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
7. Leeds city centre
'Real savings in the window, real service inside' was the offering from Wigfalls which boasted three stores in Leeds - Boar Lane, Vicar Lane and Victoria Road in Guiseley. | YPN Photo: YPN
8. Chapeltown
Young Anita Wisdom pictured at a Caribbean Association open day in May 1978. | YPN Photo: YPN
9. Ilkley
A firm of family butchers established a link with Royalty by delivering a very special batch of sausages to Buckingham Palace in November 1978. Claytons, of Brook Street in Ilkley - recently voted Yorkshire's champion saugage makers - received a royal invitation from the Queen's private secretary inviting them to send a batch of their prize pork sausages to the palace for Her Majesty to sample. They were to be delivered to the Palace kitchens personally by the owner Francis Copley and his wife Valerie. Mr Copley is pictured with the Royal links. | YPN Photo: YPN
10. Colton
Colton CC who played in the Leeds League. Pictured, back row from left, are Michael Galley, Michael England, Bill Shaw, Steve Field, Robert Horner, Peter Eckersley, Martin Horner (scorer). Front row, from left, are Roy Temple, Gordon Kirby, Daryl McManus (captain), Nicholas Ryder and David Ryder. | YPN Photo: YPN
11. Gipton
Did you enjoy a drink here back in the day? The Oak Tree pictured in January 1978. | YPN Photo: YPN
12. Leeds city centre
Coats, dresses and shoes at Debenhams in July 1978. | YPN Photo: YPN