HISTORIC artefacts that tell the story of life in a market town through the centuries have been found hidden in the basement of a business during expansion works.

Leah Hobson, owner of The Teesdale Dress Agency in Barnard Castle said she was surprised to find the items such as old signs and plastic sweets in the basement of the building still intact.

Other discoveries included an iron ring believed to have helped shackle up prisoners awaiting trial in the Market Cross – which used to be a court – opposite the shop.

Mrs Hobson also uncovered the original 17th Century fire surround and 19th Century cast-iron kitchen range which was built by William Smith’s – a company still based in the town.

“I’ve had people in saying ‘My grandfather worked at Smith’s and could have made that’ [the fireplace], - it’s just interesting especially when we were digging it out,” Mrs Hobson said.

“We found the Wall’s ice cream sign and other signs buried under the stairs because it was all used as storage for years.”

The building was previously home to the town’s Maynards sweet shop before it became Nicholsons Domestics in the 1960s and then My Generation vintage shop in 1999.

Mrs Hobson, 38, who has been running the agency, in Market Place, for two years, began the renovation work at the end of last year and is believed to be the first shop owner to open their basement to the public.

She has now lovingly restored the basements features for the community interest company, which specialises in affordable vintage fashion.

The image consultant has also launched a prom dress scheme where girls can bring in their dresses and sell them on so that future girls can buy an affordable dress.

As a community interest company, Mrs Hobson has also been able to take on two apprentices who help her run the company which also includes the Trouser Agency – a men’s shop a few doors down.

She has also provided an opportunity for fellow businesswoman, Yvonne Hankin, who has been able to set up the Kid’s Wear Agency, which has now been trading with a similar emphasis on children’s clothes for a year.

“I started doing it to help the girls afford a dress because a lot of them said they weren’t going to prom and we try to keep all the dresses under £100,” Mrs Hobson added.

“It’s also a way of keeping the money in the community with the social enterprise element.”

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