An 18th century gaol door stolen from outside Newbury's Museum in March 1996 is being returned after 15 years.
The door was found by a local resident when he moved into his home five years ago, but he thought nothing more of it until recently. When he contacted West Berkshire Museum to see if they could provide any information, eagle-eyed staff identified it as matching the description of the missing door.
Arrangements are being made for the door to be reunited with the Museum's two other gaol doors. All are thought to have come from cells in Newbury's Guildhall when it was demolished in 1828.
Museum staff believe that the door was abandoned in the garden by thieves when they were unable to make a profit from their crime. An 18th century water pipe constructed from an elm log stolen at the same time has not been recovered.
The Museum is currently closed for refurbishment. Designers will be asked to consider how the gaol doors can be included in the new displays when the Museum reopens in 2014.
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