Coun Marshall was looking for the town's silverware, and in particular a Steeple Cup chalice, believed to be the earliest piece of Plate owned by the Corporation.

After a little digging and dusting, he managed to exhume the chalice which hasn't been used at a mass for 350 years.

"It was given to the Borough in 1616," explained Coun Marshall: "I located it in the vaults and said we ought to use it because it was given for this purpose.

"It was a gift from MP Henry Bannister for the Mayor of Preston for use in services like this one," he explained.

The historic silver gilt chalice, weighing 30oz, was used at the ecumenical mass at the Parish Church on May 11.

"It was standing room only at the service," said Coun Marshall: "They had so many people at communion, they ran out of bread and wine and had to consecrate some more."

Although the maker of the chalice is not known, it bears the same markings as similar items in Cambridge and London, and could have been made by Anthony Bull or Arthur Bassett.

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