Plane-spotting diaries donated to US museum

Two plane-spotting diaries found in an attic in north Devon have been donated to a museum in America

Two plane-spotting diaries found in an attic in north Devon have been donated to a museum in America.

The notebooks, produced by Richard Anderton, helped solve some of the mysteries of World War Two, including the disappearance of 1940s music star Glenn Miller.

Sylvan Anderton, who inherited his brother's diaries, said when he realised the significance of the items he took them to the BBC Antiques Roadshow.

He said the diaries helped shed light on Miller's unexplained disappearance when the plane he was travelling in vanished 80 years ago.

Sylvan Anderton said he believes the plane-spotting diaries were now in the right place as it was Glenn Miller's birthplace

Along with his son, Philip, Mr Anderton decided to donate the diaries to the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum in Clarinda, lowa in June.

Mr Anderton, who was a Chelsea football player in the 1960s, said: "I just think they are in the right place now and to me it seems like the end of the story of the notebooks."

Dennis Spragg, who works at the museum, said the diaries arrived in time for the Glenn Miller festival in June.

Mr Spragg said: "It was interesting to see this history and to have hundreds of people come to see it.

"We have many other displays; live music, bands and a Glen Miller orchestra. Yet those two little notebooks were the hit."

Philip Anderton added: "As we are approaching the 80th anniversary of Glenn Miller's disappearance, it just seems so fitting that the notebooks have finally found their true home."