A librarian in America wants to reunite a stolen bible with a relative of its former owner- who studied in Castle Hedingham.

Nancy Voyles, of Henderson, Kentucky, USA, was handed the holy book by a police officer who recovered it from a gang of robbery suspects.

The handwritten inscription on the inside front cover reads: “Elizabeth Mead on leaving the Castle Hedingham Chapel Sunday School, December 19, 1852. Search the Scriptures.”

Miss Voyles said: “It’s a bit of a mystery. It was found with some items which had been stolen from someone around here but the police could not trace the owner.

“Apparently there was a large group that these thieves had taken things from and this was found in one of the boxes.

“The front and back covers were battered and coming off but somebody had obviously cared enough to tape it back together.

“If the owner or a relative is out there I’ll contact the officer and let him know.”

Do you know who might have owned the Bible, or are you a relative of Elizabeth Mead? Please get in touch.