HISTORIC deeds will remain in Harwich after being sold to raise money for an ambitious shipbuilding scheme.

Precious parchment documents were donated to the Mayflower Project by Tony Colbourne, and have been sold off to three buyers with links to the area.

Former Harwich mayoress Molly Bleakley , Michael Payne of Ramsey and Raymond Chippington a former Harwich resident now living in Derbyshire, have splashed out £1,980 between them, which far exceeds the expected total of approximately £300.

The trio have agreed for the originals to be hung in Harwich’s oldest house, Foresters, which now acts as the Harwich Society’s headquarters, while they have received a high-quality copy.

Mayflower Project trustee Charles Bull said: “The project feels the documents should be placed in the public domain for future generations to come.

“The detail within them is fascinating, handwritten beautifully in ink and completely unique.

“We thank them for securing these deeds and augmenting the transfer to the Harwich Society, the perfect custodian for important local historic documents."