A TAPESTRY at the centre of a long running ownership feud is coming home for the first time for decades this summer.

The full size copy of the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Norman invasion in 1066 was crafted by the women of Leek in 1885.

Unfortunately for the people of Leek, it was sold off to aldermen in Reading 10 years later for £300. It was one of the first exhibits in the town's art gallery and public museum and currently attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year.

Many residents of Leek would like the masterpiece by the town's Embroiderery Society brought back permanently but civic leaders in Reading have refused to sell it.

They have now held out an olive branch and agreed to loan a panel from the 230ft tableau as part of the Thomas Wardle centenary celebrations.

Among residents looking forward to its return is Josie Heath, right, chairman of the town's civic society and a former mayor of Leek.

She recalled that it attracted huge crowds in 1984 when it was brought back during the Nicholson Institute centenary.

Mrs Heath said: "We have tried several times to get it back from Reading, but they will only loan it to us.

"It was sold by one of the husbands of the women who embroidered it. I do not think they paid very much for it and it is certainly worth millions now. It just goes to show how stupid people can be when they do not look to the future.

"I think it will create a lot of interest. It is a fantastic piece of work.

"We had most of the tapestry for the Nicholson Institute centenary celebrations and it filled the gallery. We had it on loan for quite a time and people were thrilled.

"A lot of people in Leek went to see it and quite a few have been to see it in Reading."

She added: "I would like to see it brought back permanently in the future, but we would need a proper heritage centre."

The tapestry panel on loan will be the celebrated section in which King Harold is struck in the eye by an arrow.

The Moorlands District Council is bringing it back to Leek as part of the 'Wardle – The Man' Exhibition.

It will be on show from Friday, July 3 to Saturday, August 29.

It was the idea of Thomas Wardle's wife, Elizabeth, to make the replica.

It was intended as a celebration of the life of her husband, a renowned Victorian industrialist, philanthropist and patron of the arts.

It took 35 women just over a year to embroider the tapestry, which was first exhibited in the Nicholson Institute in 1886.

Councillor Ben Emery, portfolio holder for arts, culture and tourism on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: "Thomas and Elizabeth Wardle are significant figures in the development of dyeing, printing and silk manufacturing. We are very proud of their strong associations with Leek, which is why we wanted to celebrate their achievements."