Work to transform a former jewellery shop into an art gallery has uncovered a glimpse into its 176-year-old past.

The building at 27 Harbour Street, Ramsgate, was formerly Rose Jewellers, and more recently, a second-hand video game store.

Now, as the site is turned into a space to showcase the work of a late artist, ornate signage belonging to the bygone business has been unearthed.

The long-covered "treasure" was found by owner Jo Smith, who is opening the gallery in memory of her father, local artist David Smith.

He was known for spending seven years creating a 5.5-metre scroll documenting the history of Ramsgate through illustrations, a pastime he named time-mapping.

Ms Smith told KentOnline: "The building work started on the 9th and we have discovered this sign.

"It's just overwhelming because my dad’s slogan for his time-mapping was ‘As Was Is Now’, and the business will be called that.

"So it’s nice to uncover that sign as the shop was, and keep it that way.

"We certainly found treasure."

The jewellery shop-cum-opticians was opened in 1847 by owner James Henry Rose.

It moved down the road to a bigger premises in 1917, and was run by three generations over the course of a century.

Now, Ms Smith is hoping to preserve the sign so passers-by can enjoy the window into the past.

The 42-year-old, who is a director at a recruitment agency, added: "Thanet District Council have made contact with me to help in the restoration of the sign.

"My plan at the moment is to restore, preserve and illuminate it."

As Was Is Now will display work from David, who was born in Faversham and studied art in the UK and Italy before starting a family and moving into a career in graphic design.

He moved to Ramsgate - where his wife was born and bred - in 1995, and eventually retired at 57 due to ill health.

In his retirement, he got out of bed every morning to paint at 8am, and spent the rest of his life recreating beautiful parts of the town on paper.

Ms Smith recalled: "After his death we uncovered all of his work and thought 'we have to do something with all of this'.

"Part of the collection is a hugely detailed scroll depicting Ramsgate and the history of the town. I have about 300 pieces of work which will all be shown in the gallery at some point.

"It's a venture of love and passion; we want to show my dad’s artwork to the masses."

She is joined in the project by mother Penny and brother Craig.

They hope to open the gallery in mid-March.