CLUES to The Folly's past have been discovered by builders working on the 17th century listed building in Settle.

Built in 1675 by wealthy landowner and tanner Richard Preston as a residence, the Folly has seen plenty of comings and goings over the years as a tea room, joiner's workshop, doctor's surgery and lodging house.

The house was left empty for much of the 18th century and historians believe it was then given the name "Folly".

One of the items unearthed during restoration work was the mysterious wooden object pictured right.

Anne Read, trustee of the North Craven Buildings Preservation Trust, said: "It has finger holes bound with string and a bevelled edge so it could have been used as a scoop, possibly for sawdust.

"We would love to hear from readers if they have any idea what it is. It probably dates back to the 19th century and was found underneath the floorboards."

A bill from scrap merchant William Eccleston, who established his business in the Folly in 1870, was also found underneath the floorboards.

According to the bill, thought to date back to the early 1900s, he would buy everything from rags and ropes to iron, lead, zinc.

The first motor cars were appearing in Craven and Mr Eccleston sought outer covers, inner tubes, hosing and cab tyres. He would also call for sugar bags, bones, tailor's clips, horse hair, cow hair and something bizarrely described as "old curled" hair.

The bill states that "W Eccleston will call in two hours for this bill with his horse and cart" and he urged clients to look up their "useless lumber".

An original blue slate flagged floor has been found beneath a layer of concrete at the southern end of the ground floor, which matches the slates in the adjoining main hall.

Trustees of the Folly say the slate, quarried at Horton-in- Ribblesdale, was widely used for floors throughout North Craven. They were prized for their smooth, even surface and were traditionally cleaned with milk. Anne is keen to hear from anyone who may recall how this was done.

Another curio has been the discovery of a "hidey hole" underneath the floor above the entrance lobby, which could have been used used for storing valuables.

Various fragments of pottery, glass, metal and bone have also been found underneath the floors and in wall spaces.

All the items discovered during the renovation work will form a display in The Museum of North Craven Life when it transfers to the Folly later this year.

In the meantime a series of open days are planned, with the first set for Saturday May 19, so locals can take a look at the restored buildings and the plans for its future use.

Anyone who can shed some light on the mystery object or who can answer Anne's questions on how to clean slate floors with milk is asked to contact her on 015242 51388. She is also keen to hear from anyone interested in becoming a volunteer helper.