Artefacts rise from library ashes

The town seal was used to mark official documents before the fire

Historic artefacts that were feared lost forever in a fire that completely destroyed a Kent library have been discovered in the rubble of the ruins.

The fire at Ramsgate Library in August devastated the building that housed not only books but also the town's records, archives and a museum.

Workmen found the artefacts, which included the town's seal, in the museum part of the library on Thursday.

The town's mayor, Cllr Steve Ward, said the news was absolutely fabulous.

The Dame Janet Casket suffered smoke damage in the fire

The town seal, in its press, was presented to the town in 1884 when it first became a borough and was used to mark the bottom of official documents.

Another item discovered in the ashes was a casket presented to the town's first woman mayor, Dame Janet Stanton-Wills, when she was granted the freedom of Ramsgate in 1922.

Cllr Ward said both items were "absolutely irreplaceable".

"This is the best day we've had since the museum was damaged and to find these items actually in such good condition is fabulous."

Kent County Council has pledged to rebuild the library, while local residents have raised £6,000 for the inside to be refurbished exactly the way it was before the fire.