Updated 6:03pm 7 May 2012

Library book borrowed in 1939 returned - 70 years overdue

A library book borrowed before war broke out in 1939 has been returned - 70 years overdue.

Iris Chadwick, 83, from Dorset, took out the score of the musical Rose Marie from Cubitt Town Library on the Isle of Dogs, east London, when she was 13.

The drama of war breaking out meant she forgot to return the book and it has remained in her piano stool until now. Luckily council chiefs decided not to charge her overdue fees which, at 10p a day, would have amounted to more than £2,500.

Share