A stamp used to officially seal documents with wax that was lost for 50 years has finally been returned to Marlborough Town Council.

The Common Seal stamp, impressed into warm sealing wax to officially ‘seal’ documents, was taken home by a former mayor for safekeeping but was only returned around 50 years later.

Marlborough Town Council announced its return on February 14.

Its website says it passed through various hands until it finally ended up in the hands of former Gazette and Herald reporter Nigel Kerton who handed it back into the council.

The council say it may be put on display in the town’s museum.

The seal is engraved with the Borough Arms and the wording reads "The seal of the Mayor Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Marlborough 1836". 

Unfortunately, the key for the box the seal is stored in is still missing.

The seal base is made of metal and has an ornate artistic design.

To read more about Marlborough’s long history click here.

The town council and Mr Kerton were approached for comment.