HISTORIC artefacts from a Second World War submarine have been returned to Selby.

The 69-year-old badges from the submarine HMS Sturgeon were bought by Selby Town Council in an auction in Scunthorpe last year, after being put up for sale by Selby District Council.

Steve Shaw-Wright, leader of the town council, said: “They’re looking really well. Mike Howden has done a fantastic job restoring them.

“There was some damage to the wood, so some of it was replaced but stained to look old. The sturgeon itself is cast iron, and the original nuts, bolts and screws have all been used.”

HMS Sturgeon was a patrol submarine during the war, and made history when it completed the first successful torpedo attack of the war.

The vessel was also involved in the hunt for the battleship Bismarck, and the shields were presented to the former Selby Rural and Urban District Councils when they adopted the submarine in March 1942.

Coun Shaw-Wright also said he hoped the shields would be displayed in the town He said: “It’s up to the district council where they go on display, but we would like one of them in the new civic centre in Doncaster Road when it opens.”