THE earliest references in the whole of the English language to the terms 'fountain pen and 'alarm clock' have been discovered in archives in Worcester.

A vicar from Pershore uncovered the words in 17th Century wills at Worcestershire Library and History Centre and now they could be included in the revised edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.

The Rev Noel Staines, a regular researcher at the centre, in Trinity Street, Worcester, found the terms as he was looking through the wills of the county's clergymen. The items were listed in inventories of their possessions.

Mr Staines said: "I discovered the references to fountain pen and alarm clock and on checking with the Oxford English Dictionary found they pre-dated the earliest sources of the words.

"The fountain pen was listed among the possessions of Thomas Turner, the vicar of Blockley, in his will of 1700. There it was, 'a fountain pen and old teapot'".

The alarm clock was part of the will of Thomas Haughton of Feckenham in 1697. This is the same year as the earliest written reference the OED had found.

Mr Staines added: "He had a great interest in all things scientific. Two globes and mathematical instruments were listed in his inventory.

"Clergymen were interested in modern items and although these vicars were in pretty remote areas, they often asked for these items to be sent to them."

Mr Staines has a great interest in wills and their inventories. Last year, he began a project looking at the wills of Worcestershire clergy, studying the lists of their possessions, which give a unique insight into their lives. He had already studied the wills of everybody in the Pershore area.

The wills that Rev Staines is currently looking at are part of the Worcestershire diocesan archive.

Louisa Mann, archivist at the history centre, said: "We know that there is a great wealth of historical information in the archives.

"Inventories in wills give a fascinating insight into the possessions of people in the past. Often this is of local interest, but we are pleased to supply the information that helps rewrite the English Dictionary and puts Worcestershire on the map."

Mr Staines now hopes that no earlier references are found before the next revision of the dictionary.

No one from the Oxford English Dictionary was available to comment.