A HISTORIC trophy which was presumed lost forever has been returned to a city centre swimming club after 100 years.

Emma Pascall was clearing out her mother’s loft when she came across Colchester Swimming Club’s Alderman HH Elwes Long Distance Trophy.

The vintage silver cup was first presented to the club, at Leisure World, back in 1903 by Alderman Elwes who was the mayor of Colchester at the time.

The last recorded holder of the trophy was Emma’s grandfather Frank Stearn, who won the top prize three years running up until 1910.

A spokesman for the swimming club said: “An email from Emma to Colchester Swimming Club led to the return of a beautiful long-forgotten vintage trophy.

“Emma came across the trophy, contacted the club to ask if they would like it back and arranged to meet chairman Steve Redmond on her way back to Somerset.”

Since the discovery Emma’s brother, Jonathan, has taken a deep dive into the life and history of his late grandfather, who was born in 1888.

After serving in the First World War, he qualified as an associate of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in 1919 and worked for Messrs.

He also worked for Lacy Scott and Sons as a land agent and valuer for almost 40 years and even in his late life never lost his passion for swimming.

Mr Redmond has now said he is thrilled the swimming club is once again in possession of the trophy.

He said: “Parents are sometimes reluctant to return trophies awarded annually, but this is the latest a trophy has ever been returned – after more than a century.

“We are so grateful to Emma for taking the trouble to contact us and return a piece of our history.

“The club was founded in 1884 and this is now the oldest trophy we have and will have pride of place in our trophy cabinet.”

To find out more information about Colchester Swimming Club visit colchesterswimming.com.