COUNCIL bosses have secured the return of precious historic cannons which were removed from their home in the city without permission.

The cannons, reputed to be booty captured from a Spanish Armada galleon in 1588, stood outside the entrance to Exeter Castle, at Athelstan's Tower, named after King Alfred the Great's grandson who reigned from 926 to 940 and one of the earliest surviving stone castle gatehouses in England being built in 1068.

The three guns are considered priceless — but that has not stopped them from being vandalised.

Castle owners Exeter Castle Partnership moved them inside the 1,000-year-old castle walls, in front of the former crown court building, claiming it wanted to prevent further damage. But the council has insisted they are owned by the city — and should be returned to their rightful place.

Guy Wadsworth, of Exeter Castle Partnership, said: "The main reason we objected to the council's approach is that there is clear evidence the cannons have been vandalised and we fear they could go the same way as the copper lightening conductor which was taken from the building and the 300-year-old lead planters that were recently stolen from the same area."

Thieves attempted to take two of the planters, dating from 1696, on April 1. One was recovered later but the other, worth around £20,000, is still missing amid fears that it has now been melted down for its scrap metal value.

Mr Wadsworth said: "The cannons have also been used as a climbing frame for people trying to climb up the tower. When we moved them, we found around 15 drink cans had been jammed down the barrels."

Mr Wadsworth said when the cannons were moved inside, the Redcoats, who lead city tours, were consulted and told they could still bring visitors in to see the cannon.

A spokesman for the city council said: "The cannons belong to Exeter City Council and have done so for many years.

"They were removed from Rougemont Gardens without permission and, following a request that they be returned to us, the owners of the castle have confirmed that they will be.

"We will collect them shortly, before renovating and replacing them back in Rougemont Gardens, with adequate levels of security."

The three cannons were part of a group of cannon brought together from various places in 1919 to celebrate the Armistice and were fired at Rougemont Gardens at this time. They were also used to mark the coronation of King George V.

They were then dispersed and several remained in the gardens under the management of the city following which three cannon were placed under the gatehouse in or around 1920.