NEARLY 2,000 years ago somebody dropped a Roman coin close to what is today the village of Rainford.

Talk about the Romans and you think of important sites like Chester, York... and even Wigan (known as Coccium back then).

But now the coin unearthed by ‘metal detective’ Lee Brady in Rainford could help rewrite the history of the village.

Was it lost by a passing legionary or merchant who took a detour off the Roman road which runs near Haydock Park? Or was it lost from the purse of a local Briton?

Is there a Roman building waiting to be discovered which could be linked to the village’s rich industrial heritage currently being revealed by the work of Rainford Heritage Society?

Relics are being discovered on local fields which are building up a great story of how the village lived and worked hundreds of years ago.

A new metal detecting group has been formed who are helping the society discover artefacts and coins on an industrial site dating back to at least the 1500s.

Dozens of interesting objects have been found in the last three weeks which will be on show to the public this summer.

And there have also been several major coin finds.

Lee Brady found what proved to be a Roman coin from the time of Emperor Hadrian (of wall fame) circa 117-138 AD.

An Elizabeth I groat is undergoing verification at Liverpool Museums and other coins are under scrutiny including two cartwheel pennies which date from 1797. Lots of early, mid and late Victorian pennies and halfpennies have also come to light.

The landowner, where the finds are being made is allowing all objects to be the property of Rainford Heritage Society so they can be on display for the benefit of the village.