A SECRET hiding place which could have protected the takings from Richmond market nearly 300 years ago has been uncovered during maintenance work at the town hall.

The wall safe, with a wooden door and distinctive butterfly hinges, was discovered when workmen installing a new heating system removed a false door in the common hall.

Local historian Jane Hatcher was called in and believes the safe could date from the 18th century. She is now researching the feature and hopes to discover more about its date and use.

The town hall was built in 1756 on the site of an earlier guild hall and town clerk Peter Clarke said the safe might have been used to store takings from the market in the days before banks.

"We always knew that one of the doors at the end of the hall was false and I don't think it had been removed within living memory," said Mr Clarke.

"The question now is whether we replace the door but add hinges so we can have access to the old safe, which is quite an exciting feature of the town hall now."

There was also a possibility of opening up the wall further to reveal an original fireplace, the outline of which can be seen through modern plaster.