A SPORTS trophy will be shining bright at a popular museum in town.

The Harwich Charity Cup now forms part of the Harwich Museum, after being last played for in 2013 and subsequently held safe by Essex County Football Association.

The trophy holds a special place in the history of the town sport having been introduced in 1899 to celebrate Harwich and Parkeston's Essex Senior Cup victory and their achievement in reaching the 1898/99 Amateur Cup Final.

Paul Rogers of the Harwich Museum explained: "The money raised from matches was donated to local hospitals and in recognition a dormitory ward was named the Harwich Charity Football Ward.

"From the footballing viewpoint, Harwich and Parkeston were regular participants in the Final which was always one of the highlights of the season, with the record attendance for a final at the Royal Oak being 3,285.

"In the 1938/39 the cup was won by the Metropolitan Police and therefore throughout the duration of the Second World War it remained in their safe custody.

"You cannot fail to be impressed and surprised on a tour of the Museum with the exhibits and their display of Harwich history right through to the present. "

Visit harwichmuseum.com.