Battle over armour may take up to three years

The legal battle over ownership of two 400-year-old suits of armour in Staffordshire could take three years to resolve.

The armour, which dates back to the 17th century, was meant to raise £40,000 at auction to rescue next month's cash-strapped Lichfield Bower celebration.

But the suits were withdrawn from sale after Lichfield District Council claimed it was the rightful owner. Organisers have had to drastically cut back on the historic annual fete for it to go ahead on June 4.

Bower committee chairman Michael Mullarkey said: "The disagreement over ownership is still being looked into and is not likely to be resolved for another two or three years.

"We have documentation saying the suits of armour are ours and the council has got documentation claiming they own it, and somewhere in between there is a piece of paper saying one way or the other.

"But until that is sorted out, we carry on."

The Greenhill Bower, which has been running since the 12th Century, was under threat after last year's washout event made a loss of £18,000 when torrential rain kept the crowds away.

The council also halved its grant this year to £2,500.

But the 2012 carnival has been rescued by introducing cutbacks. The committee has saved £10,000 on the hire of a military band by inviting the RAF band from Cosford, made up of volunteers, to lead the procession.

They will be joined by the RAF Wing Band of the Staffordshire and West Mercia regiments and the Nottingham Pipe Police Band.

Mr Mullarkey said: "The Bower will be a fantastic event this year. We've made cutbacks like everybody else but it's shaping up to be a wonderful day with lots of events in Beacon Park."

The suits of armour were among four which had been on display in Lichfield Heritage Centre since 1982.