New historical research has established that the old Co-op in Newent was used as a store for 28 tons of emergency food during the Second World War.

The cache was considered enough to feed the whole area for eight days.

The information is carried in a so-called War Book for Redmarley, which has been discovered by local historian Eric Warde in the Gloucestershire Records Office.

The War Book is the first such document personally seen by Mr Warde, though he suspected that some must still exist.

The book is an official document listing details such as air raid ward wardens and auxiliary police in the Redmarley area in the 1940s.

Newent Co-op is listed in this context as the emergency food store for the area.

Mr Warde, of Pool Hill, is currently gathering material for a book on the history of Redmarley, to be launched by the Redmarley Historical Society in summer 2006.

This follows Chapters in Newent's History, put out by the Newent Historical Society at last year's Onion Fayre. Mr Warde helped with the writing and compilation of that book.

He is now appealing for photographs and information concerning the history of Redmarley for a publication of over 200 pages, still to be named. Funding could come from the Lottery or other award-making bodies.

Mr Warde has already discovered that the mother of the novelist Barbara Cart-land lived as a child at the Down House, off the Redmarley to Gloucester Road.

Anyone wishing to help Mr Warde's researches should phone 01531 820306.