IDEAS are wanted from children for items to be locked away in a hospital time capsule for future generations.

The capsule will be buried in the atrium area of Bradford Royal Infirmary’s new £28 million wing before construction work finishes this autumn.

It will be marked by a commemorative stone or plaque but as yet its contents are unknown and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is asking for schools to come up with suggestions.

Paul Featherstone, the trust's director of estates and facilities, said: “As building work on the new wing goes along and we see it taking shape, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to include a time capsule.

“We would like it to contain items that are representative of the hospital and the health service in 2016; perhaps photographs of the different types of uniforms our staff wear and possibly an artist’s impression and plans of the new hospital wing."

He added: “But more than anything we would love like schools to get involved and hear ideas from the children.

"It will be interesting to see what they come up with. If the members of television’s Time Team were to embark on an archaeological dig at BRI 500 years from now what would they make of the contents of the time capsule?”

Alison Cullingford, special collections librarian at the University of Bradford, said: “Time capsules offer a thrilling insight into the real life of the past because there is the excitement of what might be inside and then the chance to discover unexpected objects that show how people lived, worked, ate and thought.”

When deciding what to include, she advised: “What objects do you use every day?

"How would you explain your life/work to someone from the future?

"Remember, objects need to be able to survive for a long time so anything that might rust, rot or be eaten by insects is out!”

Schools are now invited to submit their pupils' ideas but have been asked to bear in mind that items have to have links with hospitals and health.

Those who come up with the best ten suggestions will be invited to a special ceremony to see their items placed in the time capsule and buried in the new build.

Any schools interested in taking part in the time capsule project, should contact Shane Embleton, the trust's new hospital wing programme manager, on 01274 364521.

It is envisaged that the time capsule will be buried in the summer.