A FAMILY on holiday in Chepstow last week stumbled upon more than they expected on a visit Chepstow Castle, as they discovered an ancient artefact buried in the ground.

The Coutts family from Malmesbury in Wiltshire, were exploring the grounds of the castle when they found a buried clay pipe, seemingly exposed after recent heavy rain.

The smoking pipe is only a few centimetres long and has some evidence of an ornate pattern around the bowl.

"We visited Chepstow Castle and museum on Monday 5th August and had a picnic in the grounds and explored the castle from top to bottom," said grandfather Mike Moody.

"Whilst walking the ramparts near the upper bailey, furthest from the entrance gate, the boys saw a clay pipe embedded in the ground. We prised it out of the ground and they took it to the office."

9-year-old Cameron, (pictured top right) and 7-year-old Jacob Coutts, (pictured top left) were told by museum staff that the find may be "of significant interest."

The pipe has yet to be officially dated by Cadw but estimates by museum staff age it at around 200-years-old.