A PRESTON pensioner has been told that a stone that once graced her back garden as a bird table, is a priceless relic from Penwortham Priory .

Eileen Pawelko, of Winckley Road, Preston, had no idea that her treasured garden ornament was in fact a 200-year-old stone effigy.

She had always believed the old head had some significance, but when the Citizen published an article about her ornament on April 8, she discovered it was the head of a monk or priest.

Eileen had donated the relic to local historian and author Andrew Atkinson several months ago.

She said: "My friend actually owned the head first and gave it to me seven or eight years ago because my husband liked it so much.

"I knew that it was obviously very old but I had no idea that it dated as far back as it did. I am totally amazed. But I am glad it has been returned to Penwortham Priory where it once stood."

The ancient head will be placed in the grounds of St Mary's Church, on the site of the former Priory, before it was demolished in 1926 to make way for a building development.

Penwortham Priory existed as early as the year 774, a time when Penwortham Monastery belonged to the Abbey of Evesham.

The vicar of St Mary's, the Rev Derek Raitt, campaigned with Mr Atkinson for the relic to be returned to the South Ribble community without realising that it was here all the time.

Mr Atkinson said: "The relic is a one-off amazing discovery. It has been confirmed by both the Harris and British Museums as a former part of Penwortham Priory.

"It has been confirmed to be 200 years old by the authorities at the British Museum and, although a value cannot be put on it, the head is priceless locally as a part of the history of Penwortham. We hope the relic will be moved to St Mary's this summer."

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