A STONE relic which once graced Penwortham Priory is to be returned to its former home, after months of meeting with top-level clergy.

The ornament is the head of a monk or priest, which was found in the River Ribble, close to the historical site, in the 1930s.

It will be placed in the grounds of St Mary's Church, where the Priory - which was demolished in 1926 to make way for a building development - once stood.

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

Local author and historian Andrew Atkinson, and the vicar of St Mary's, the Reverend Derek Raitt, joined together to campaign for the relic to be returned to the South Ribble community.

Rev Raitt said: "Months of meetings with the diocese, Preston's Harris Museum and Art Gallery, British Museums, and St Mary's Parish, are finally drawing to an end.

"The placing of the ancient stone relic in St Mary's Church will be put forward for final approval.

"I will meet the diocese once again, to give them the recommendation.

Mr Atkinson, who has written three books on Penwortham, 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 - a piece of national history and a very important part of Penwortham's past.

"Thankfully the monk's, or priest's, head will now finally be placed back in its right setting.

"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 part of the history of Penwortham. We hope the relic will be moved to St Mary's this summer."

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