Deputy head teacher Kirstie Oliver said: “We were all completely blown away by this book that had been hiding in the bottom of a drawer and hadn’t been found in 49 years.”

The book, labelled Roman Studies, was filled with neat handwriting and detailed sketches of an amphitheatre, Roman bathing systems and cities.

“I could tell this wasn’t just any exercise book,” Mr Morgan said. “It was filled with such dedication and detail that I felt it deserved to be returned.”

When presented with the book, Mr Morris said he had “absolutely no recollection” of ever having drawn the illustrations.

“I recognise the handwriting but I kind of wish I could still draw like that,” he said.