ONE of Tavistock's ancient artefacts was removed from the town's museum early on Monday morning, and was taken back to the ruined Betsy Grimbal's Tower in Plymouth Road.

Ordulph's Sarcophagus, which has been in the back courtyard of the museum since July 2010, was transferred by Tavistock Town Council, using a crane and a lorry.

The debate over a suitable new home for the abbey artefacts has been ongoing for some time.

The Museum Trust believes the right course of action was to have kept the sarcophagus in the museum, a view reinforced by the conditions under the tower during the recent wet weather. But the town's history society felt strongly that it should be kept in a place where it could be seen by the public and not hidden away.

Roderick Martin, secretary to the Museum Trustees, said: 'The debate has always been about conservation and display of the artefact, its location is largely irrelevant.

'With custodianship of the sarcophagus comes the responsibility for its care and exhibition so now it is up to Tavistock Town Council, supported by the local history society, to do an equal or better job than the town museum would have done.'

The town council is planning to carry out work on the tower to make it more secure and protect the artefact, and other abbey remains, from rain.

The Museum Trust expressed thanks to all who helped to campaign for the sarcophagus to remain at the museum, to Tavistock Signs for the banner, and to the museum staff at Royal Albert Memorial Musuem, Exeter, for their help and support.