Bike engine time capsule found under floorboards

A time capsule has been found under the floorboards of a home in Kingskerswell

A man from Kingskerswell is searching for the previous owners of his house after finding a time capsule under the floorboards.

Mark Chard said a "gleaming" motorbike engine and letter were placed there in 1999 by the previous owner.

He said the letter described how much fun the previous owner had had on the motorbike and the work done to the house since they moved in.

The homeowner said he was searching for Peter Oliver, who lived at the house from 1998 with his wife Dorothy and their dog Sooty.

Mr Chard, who moved into the home in August 2024, said he did not realise what he had found until he started reading the letter.

He said: "There's a trap door which is actually where I sit working.

"I lifted it, had a look inside and there it is, a motorbike engine with a letter and on the front - it says sometime in the future now it's 1999."

In the letter Mr Oliver described how he rebuilt motorcycles for a hobby, with the engine found used in one for "some enjoyable riding around Torquay and district" in 1994.

Mr Oliver said they bought the house for £97,500, that they were retired and had previously run Joyce Shoes in Paignton.

He added that the main reason they bought the house was because of the garage and the under house workshop.

Those who could help connect Peter and Dorothy with Mr Oliver have been asked to contact BBC Radio Devon at [e-mail].