THE skeleton of a woman who died more than 5,500 years ago is leaving its home in the Valley to return to where her remains were discovered.

Blodwen, the bones of a Neolithic woman, has been on display at Bacup Natural History (BNHS) Museum since arriving in the town in 1896, but is now being moved to Llandudno, where she was discovered in 1891.

The decision to donate the remains of Blodwen to Llandudno Museum was made following a special general meeting of the museum’s society.

To show gratitude for the donation, Llandudno Museum will provide a graphic display panel about Blodwen for the Bacup museum and give free admission to all members of the 24-strong Bacup society.

Maurice Priest, BNHS vice-chairman, said 60 per cent of people voted in favour of donating the remains.

Bacup Coun Jimmy Eaton said: “Personally, I think it should stay at Bacup.

“There is a lot of interest in it and it’s been here for so long, I don’t understand why it should be given back.

“I’ve seen it myself and it’s quite interesting.”

Maurice Priest, vice-chair of BNHS, said: “There were a few people who weren’t happy about it, but it was a fair vote.

“It came about because we have been spending time with the people from Llandudno Museum over the last year, visiting them, and they’ve recently had a cash injection and wanted to know if they could have it and give it a good show.”

Carbon dating tests carried out on the remains by researchers at Oxford University revealed Blodwen died in around 3,510 BC.

Examinations show that she was aged between 54 and 63, stood at around 5ft tall, strongly built, and her bone structure suggests she was accustomed to carrying heavy loads, on her head and in her arms.