AFTER 35 years in a Lancashire garden, a rare medieval stone head is to be displayed at the Ribchester Roman Museum.

The red-sandstone carving was originally discovered by Lancashire resident, Ronald Spencer, at the bottom of a trench near Tarleton during engineering works, and has been mounted on a plinth in his garden ever since.

The head, which has an "exceptionally miserable" expression, is nicknamed Victoria after the similarly stern queen. Museum curator Patrick Tostevin said: "Ronald and his wife Mary brought the carving in to find out exactly where it came from.

"It is very unusual for heads like this to turn up and it is even more unusual for them to be female."

Patrick, who is still unsure of the head's origin, believes it may have been part of Preston Friary, destroyed in 1539 during the dissolution of the monasteries.

He added: "People will be able to see Victoria here at the museum for the next couple of months after which she will be returned to Ronald and Mary."

The head will be on display from February 14. Museum opening times are Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, and Saturdays, noon to 5pm.