A medieval civic horn which was stolen in a daylight raid on the town hall in the 60s has finally been returned to Dover after years of searching.

The Dover Burghmote Horn, made of copper alloy, was used to summon civic assemblies by the town crier.

With reports from as early as 1558, it is one of ten of its kind with the nine others in Faversham, Folkestone, Hythe, Ipswich, Canterbury, New Romney, Ripon, Sandwich and Winchester.

On Monday, July 7, 1969, it was stolen in a raid which also saw a large amount of silver and other treasures taken, including the silver oar of the Cinque Ports.

It was reported that while councillors filed into the chamber for a meeting about housing, one of the raiders slipped inside and then waited to let the others in, before running off with the loot.

Allison Burton, Dover town clerk said: “It’s been a long fight and we’re delighted to be bringing it home.”

At the time, there was a reward issued from insurance loss adjusters and a public appeal by the mayor of the day, William T Muge.

He said: “To the thieves this horn is practically worthless but to the citizens of Dover it is extremely valuable.

“I appeal to the good sense and kind hearts of the thieves to return the horn to the town. Naturally we hope to get all our silver back but I am particularly anxious about the return of the horn. It is the oldest piece in our collection.”

The horn was lost until 2010 when a sale held by Christie’s for the collection of the late Mrs Elias-Vaes included the Dover treasure, as well as three other horns.

A German dealer who suspected the horn of medieval origin acquired the entire lot.

He showed it to a London-based dealer who believed it dates back to the 13th century. Before long it was identified as the Dover Burghmote Horn.

Dover town council has been involved in a lengthy legal battle to be able to bring the horn back to the town and on Tuesday, it finally returned.