14th century discovery at Yeovil church (From Yeovil Express)

14th century discovery at Yeovil church

6:00am Thursday 16th March 2006 in Yeovil By Lyndsey Mayhew

ANCIENT carved heads dating back to the 1300's have been discovered in a church in Yeovil.

The intricate stone heads had been thought to have been introduced into St James in Preston Plucknett during Victorian restoration but new analysis has revealed the true history.

David Martyn of GCP chartered architects who made the discovery said: "They are stunning.

"The fact they have not been recorded before is puzzling.

"They add considerable to our understanding of the church and the people who built it, pushing its known history back almost a century."

The heads are highly characteristic of the early 14th century and similar examples can be found in Wells and Bristol cathedrals.