IMPORTANT artefacts have been unearthed from the wreckage of Ramsgate’s Victorian library which was destroyed by fire in August.

Salvage experts from Downfast Demolition have found a silver casket with silk lining and a velvet base dating from 1922 belonging to benefactor Dame Janet Stancombe-Wills.

It was discovered in a space beneath the flooring, together with the silver town seal and press matrix, used to stamp official documents and records.

Town mayor Cllr Stephen Ward is “overjoyed and relieved at the find. He said: “These are irreplaceable artefacts and I feared that they would be lost forever. It is terrific news that part of our heritage remains despite the intense heat and damage caused when the library went up in flames.

“Medals have also been found and I hope that as the salvage work continues other treasures that we feared had perished will come to light.”

Cllr Ward had hoped to use the town seal to mark the official twining link with Belgian town of Chimay at a ceremony last weekend but the equipment needs restoration before it can be used. He said: “I am confident it can be brought back into service.”

The mayor said he is “overwhelmed with gratitude to the team of people who found these artefacts and thank them for all their hard work.”

Harvey Defriend, a member of the Restore Ramsgate Library Fund, said: “We’re delighted that the seal has been found. We were also pleased to hear at the public meeting that much of the archive material that was destroyed were just copies and the originals are still with us.

"We will continue with our fundraising efforts. We made a pledge to the people who donated money that we would stay the course and make sure our library is restored and that is what we are continuing to do."