A 500-YEAR-OLD Easter carving has been rediscovered in a forgotten corner of a Northwich church.

Church members were preparing St Helen's Church for Easter when they moved the block of oak and discovered that it was carved exactly five centuries ago.

Carved on the front of the block are symbols of the wounds Jesus received on the cross at Easter time.

They are pierced hands and feet arranged around the four quarters of the cross, and at the centre of the cross is the sacred heart.

The arrangement is like a coat of arms and was a popular subject of veneration in early Tudor times.

On the back of the block is the carved date of 1516.

Church members Dave Hodkinson and Ken Moth said: "We felt compelled to move the carving from its dark corner into a more prominent position in time for Easter, and we were amazed when we read the date on the back."

Dating back to at least 1350, St Helens Church is the oldest building in Northwich.

It is open on several days each week for regular church events, and is now open on Saturdays between 10am and 4pm for casual visitors.

Church guides are available to show visitors around.