James Bond book bonus for Wick charity shop

James Bond's latest appearance in his "home" town raised eyebrows in a charity shop — and looks set to provide a welcome windfall, reports the Littlehampton Gazette.

Wick St Barnabas charity shop volunteer Roger Butterworth was amazed to find a first edition copy of Ian Fleming's Thunderball novel among the donations.

And now the 007 volume, published in 1961, is on prominent display in Littlehampton Museum's popular summer exhibition, "On His Majesty's Secret Service", which celebrates the town's link with Bond creator Fleming.

Roger, who also volunteers at the museum, instantly recognised the value of the book, which is in excellent condition, and the museum is accepting bids in excess of 100 GBP, on behalf of the charity shop.

"This is a fabulous opportunity to own a piece of cultural history and to help a local charity at the same time", said councillor Dr James Walsh, chairman of the town council's community resources committee.

The museum's exciting summer exhibition showcases never-before seen material used by the 30 AU, a specialist intelligence unit which operated out of Littlehampton during the Second World War. Fleming is said to have based his dashing hero on the men of the 30 AU and their top-secret exploits behind enemy lines.

The book will remain on display until the exhibition ends, on September 4.

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