Memorabilia salvaged from fire

VALUABLE celebrity memorabilia that was feared lost in a devastating fire has been retrieved in pristine condition.

A pair of Shirley Bassey's shoes, a signed Pele shirt and a 1966 World Cup shirt signed by nine members of the squad have been found safe and unharmed in drawers out of reach of the Cowdray Centre fire that devastated the premises of over 50 businesses.

Colchester-based charity Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) had handed them over to a business to be framed prior to their selling.

However, Framewerks suffered extensive damage in the July 8 fire and the charity believed its items had perished in the inferno.

It was only when Framewerks owner, David Fricker, was permitted access into the premises that he discovered the treasured items in excellent condition.

Mr Fricker has now taken the items to his new premises, at the Seedbed Centre on the Colchester Business Park, framed them and given them back to the charity.

He has also donated a framed autographed picture of former England cricket captains for the charity to auction.

Mr Fricker said: “It's only recently I was allowed back into the old unit and I was delighted to see the items undamaged.

“I've given the charity the cricketers' picture as a gesture of my gratitude for their continued patience during the past couple of months.”

MRSC Chief Executive Lawrence Wood said: “When we heard about the fire we feared the worst.

“Those items will hopefully raise us a significant amount of money so it would have been a serious loss had they gone up in the fire.

“David's done a super job framing them and we're very grateful for his additional donation.”

These highly-valued items are now available to anyone who wishes to purchase them from the MSRC which can be contacted on 01206 505444.