Records preserve village history

The register was wrapped in a cloth and newspaper before being buried

A collection of 16th Century documents, buried in a churchyard during World War II to stop them falling into German hands, goes on display in Norwich.

The earliest Salthouse parish register recorded baptisms, marriages and burials for the North Norfolk village between 1538 and 1713.

The records have been restored by Norfolk County Council conservators.

An exhibition featuring stories of some of the people in the register opens at the Archive Centre in County Hall.

Historic map

After the outbreak of WWII, the register was wrapped in newspaper and a cloth before being buried deep underground.

When it was unearthed after the war, it was so badly damaged the information inside was inaccessible.

In 2005, Norfolk Record Office began work on the records, and the information can be seen for the first time in more than 60 years.

Also on display is a 19th Century copy of a map depicting Salthouse and its marshes in 1648-9.

It includes drawings of buildings in the village, including the church and windmill and depicts two ships sailing along the coast.