Royal charter found in cupboard

The charter was last seen in 1989

A missing document that grants an agricultural movement its royal charter has been found in a cupboard at its head office in Warwickshire.

Queen Victoria signed the parchment belonging to the Royal Agricultural Society of England 164 years ago.

The society said the charter, which was last seen 15 years ago, was found by a member of staff during a tidy up at their office at Stoneleigh Park.

The document will now be mounted and go on display.

'Safe place'

Phillip Sheppy, the custodian of the society's archive said officials were extremely pleased to have found the document again.

"It is the single most important historical document the society owns," he said.

"It sets out our mission statement since the society began in 1840.

"King Edward VII signed in 1905 and Queen Elizabeth in 1996 and now we have found Queen Victoria's.

"It will be kept in a safe place and will now go on display."