HISTORIC Rolls-Royce engines that were kept at Derby's Silk Mill museum have been returned to the firm's heritage centre.

The exhibits had been on loan from the centre.

But Stuart Gillis, Derby City Council's head of museums transformation, said three "significant" engines had been retained at the Silk Mill.

He said: "Those that remain are the Eagle, which was the first aero engine to be developed by Rolls-Royce, the Merlin, known as one of the most successful aircraft engines of the Second World War, and the RB211, the forerunner of the Trent series that has formed the backbone of Rolls Royce's aerospace-engineering today.

"By returning some of the engines, those that remain will be able to be given their rightful place and displayed in a way appropriate to their importance to our city."

The Silk Mill has been mothballed by the council with the aim of saving £400,000, improving it, and re-opening it in 2013.