An ancient artefact found in the grounds of Chepstow Castle has evaded formal dating and identification for six months after confusion from offical bodies.

IN August the Beacon told the story of an ancient find that had been discovered in the grounds of Chepstow Castle.

A clay pipe, thought to be 200-years-old, had been exposed by heavy rain and was found by a family visiting the town from Wiltshire.

Since this date, information has been sought from Chepstow Castle and Cadw as to the item's age, but to no avail. It seems that no group is confident of the pipe's whereabouts.

When asked, Chepstow Castle claim that the artefact is in the hands of Cadw historians, working towards dating the piece.

However, when Cadw were approached, the group assured the Beacon that the pipe has remained in the hands of the castle, who will any day pass the piece on to Chepstow Museum for dating.

Chepstow Museum has confirmed that they have had no word from the castle about the existence of the pipe.

Despite four months of searching for its location, it seems we are no closer to finding this lost relic in Chepstow's history.

The pipe was found by nine-year-old Cameron and seven-year-old Jacob Coutts from Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

The boys were told by castle staff that the find may be "of significant interest" and staff estimated its age at around 200-years-old.

The clay pipe, pictured with the boys, is only a few centimetres long and has some evidence of an ornate pattern around the bowl.

Grandfather of the boys, Mike Moody, said: "The boys are keen to find out more about their find so we would like to get some feedback from whoever has it.

"We gave it to Chepstow Castle who said that Cadw would be taking it to date it, and we haven't heard anything since".