As the Magna Carta marks its 800th anniversary this week, conservation work to Sandwich's document is now underway.

The document has now been removed from the scrapbook it had been found in.

It was discovered with the Charter of Forest at KCC’s Maidstone archives folded inside a Victorian scrapbook earlier this year. There were concerns that their removal would cause damage to the documents but this has now been successfully completed.

A spokesman for the archives said: “We have completed the preliminary conservation documentation and photography and removed the two charters from the scrapbook.

“We have begun investigating the treatment options for conservation, as we need to understand how the charters will react to treatments, this is delicate and time consuming but essential to ensure we choose the most appropriate treatment plan.”

Sandwich celebrated the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta with a great community effort.

“It was a great honour and achievement to mark such a historic anniversary in such an ancient and symbolic manner.” - Cllr Carter

Captain of the curfew ringers, Paul Carter appealed for a group of ringers to help-out on Sunday to ring the curfew bell between 3-4pm.

Cllr Carter, Simon Leith, Cllr Jeff Franklin, Joseph Sevier, and John Hennessy marked the occasion.

Towns all over the country rang their bells at the same time.

Cllr Carter said: “It was a great honour and achievement to mark such a historic anniversary in such an ancient and symbolic manner.”

He explained they all agreed it was a great occasion and one which had to be recognised by this ancient town.

Many compliments were paid by visitors to the annual Little Gardens of Sandwich and heard the hour-long ringing.

The next step will see a designer from Visit Kent come to the Guildhall on Monday, June 22, to assess the Jury Room and decide how to put the exhibition together in the space available.

More information on whether the other Magna Carta documents will be on display at Sandwich will come to light after this visit.

The exhibition has already started in Faversham and has welcomed more than 4,000 visitors in its first week.

Laura Fidler, town clerk, said: “We don’t want to be in a position where we get so many people and then local people miss out.”

This means schools, charities and community groups from Sandwich and the villages can book slots to see the Magna Carta when it is closed to the public.

This will be from September 24 until October 6 between 9am and 11am.

For more information or to book a slot contact Sandwich Town Council on 01304 617197.

The Mercury is appealing to the community to help bring the document back by organising events to show support or donating funds for insurance and conservation work.

Any business or group who gets on board will have a greater involvement in the project and recognition for their hard work.

Contact Laura for more information on 01304 617197 or email townclerk@sandwichtowncouncil.gov.uk