A BIG step towards returning precious K Shoes archives to Kendal is to be taken next week.

A member of the county archive service is to travel to the headquarters of shoe giant Clarks International at Street in Somerset to discuss how the documents can be returned to the town.

The Gazette's Hand Back our Heritage Campaign was launched in 2000 to press for the return of archive material and artefacts that were removed to Street in 1996. A commitment was given by Clarks to give back the archive documents which will be housed at the County Records Office.

However, since that time there have been few developments, and Clarks bosses have said that cataloguing has been taking place.

County archivist Anne Rowe confirmed a member of the archive service would travel to Street to discuss the mechanics of transporting the documents back to Kendal.

The documents, known as advertising books, are understood to contain a wealth of newspaper cuttings, adverts, and other articles relating to K Shoes.

Although she had yet to see the items Ms Rowe said they should be visually attractive: "They are a very valuable record of the firm and are of enormous interest to this area because it's a local firm.

"We are very keen to bring them back and we are getting very positive signals from Clarks that they are willing to help return them."

Ms Rowe cautioned that the visit would be just the start of the process, not least because there was a shortage of archive storage space.

John Keery for Clarks confirmed the meeting was taking place to discuss the return of the documents.

April 25, 2003 11:00