IT WAS a radio that helped win the Second World War – but it ended up on sale at a Westcliff charity shop.

The radio from a Lancaster bomber was brought into the Shared Space charity shop in London Road after being found by volunteer Stephen Joseph.

Mr Joseph was clearing out his parents’ loft when he discovered the radio, which had been stored there by his dad, who had spent years collecting vintage radios.

The shop had first thought of selling it to raise money for the many charities it supported, but has since agreed a long-term loan with Southend Museums to put it on display at the museum in Victoria Avenue. It will be displayed for educational visits and to help schoolchildren learn about the Second World War.

Peter Dominey, a trustee at the shop, said: “For us it’s a bit of a find, a bit of a discovery.

“This is the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, so it is of enormous interest.

“We have some unusual items, but this is a different thing entirely.

“We’ve had gold sovereigns donated in the past, but this is a piece of living history. It’s incredible.”

The Lancaster was a vital part of Bomber Command and played a pivotal role in the Second World War. It was equipped with advanced communication systems for the time.

Normallymanned by a crewof seven, the wireless operator listened for messages from base.

Some night time raids required German speaking operators to monitor enemy transmissions.

A whopping 7,377 Lancasters were built between 1941 and early 1946, with 3,500 lost on operations and another 200 were destroyed in crashes.

The vast majority that did survive the war were scrapped, and today there are only 17 surviving aircraft – including the Lancaster PA474 which flies as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Chris Langdon, outreach officer at Southend Museums, said the radio is quite a find.

He said: “Quite frankly, to find something like that in a charity shop is so rare its unfathomable.

Equipment from Lancasters, Spitfires and Hurricanes are highly sought after.”

The Shared Space shop raises money for local causes including mental health charities, Alzheimer’s charities and the women’s refuge.

The radio is now on long-term loan to Southend Museums.