A silver key given to Looe’s mayor in 1878 has been returned to the town.

A new town hall had been built for East Looe (the present-day Guildhall) and, to commemorate the event, the key was presented.

Some time later, J R Bishop gave the key to Major Reginald Arthur Peter, commander of Looe’s Volunteer Artillery Battery, who was also chairman of the East Looe Town Trust from 1906 to 1915.

The key has since been handed down through the Peter family.

Now Major Peter’s great-grandson, Antony, who lives in Lancashire, has decided it ought to go back to Looe.

He called into the museum while on holiday in the town and, for the trust, which had been unaware the key existed, his visit came as a surprise. The key will be displayed at the museum.