AN ancient artefact found in Alcester is set to return - in a rare coup for the town's heritage centre.

The Roman Alcester Heritage Centre has been given the go ahead to borrow the Tau Cross from the British Museum, along with Warwick Museum.

David Moulson, chairman of the trust which runs the Globe House centre, said the Anglo-Saxon artefact was originally found in 1973 in the rectory gardens in Alcester, behind the old rectory.

"This is an exceptional thing in that the Tau Cross was acquired by the British Museum some years ago - it's been on public display for some years so its of national importance," he said.

"We had to ask the British museum and meet their stringent requirements and they have agreed to let us borrow back this Anglo Saxon cross from April 2007 to April 2008."

He said the walrus ivory artefact would have originally been the top head of a staff featuring the crucifixion and would have been used by a Saxon bishop.

Mr Moulson said it would probably spend six months in Warwick and then six months in Alcester, and they were currently fundraising for a display case designed to the British Museum's specifications which would cost around £5,000.

"It's a real coup for us as a museum to be working in co-operation, or accepted as good enough, by the British Museum to borrow something like this," he added.

"We have also received National Registration which is quite an important reflection on the museum - it's an indication of the standard we are at."