AN historic book that has been lost for more than a century is being returned to its rightful home in the Fens.

The leather-bound book, which reveals a true tale of Victorian medicine and community spirit about a local doctor who was struck off for having no licence to practice, will be officially presented to the Wisbech & Fenland Museum

The book was signed by 247 local dignitaries and presented to popular local doctor, Henry Thorns in 1898.

It passed to a Mr Ross, now living in Lincolnshire, when he was a London schoolboy in the 1970s.

More than thirty years later, realising its connection with the Fens, he contacted the Wisbech Society to bring the book back to the town.

Assistant Curator Robert Bell has discovered that Henry Thorns practised medicine in Wisbech for many years, before being struck off by the General Medical Council for not having a licence.

Local people rallied round to support the doctor and 3,449 local residents signed a petition to reinstate him.

The petition was insufficient to reverse the decision, but more than £100 was raised to support the medic.

The funds, along with the historic book, were presented to Mr Thorns at the end of the 19th century.

Wisbech Society Chairman Ray Johnson, said: “I’m delighted that the Wisbech Society is helping return an

important part of Wisbech’s past, rediscovering a ‘lost’ story that underlines the generosity and community

support traditionally found in the town.”