Flood fears for ancient 'Ribbon'

An aerial view of the 4000 year old 'Rotherwas Ribbon' Enlarge Image

A 4,000-year-old stone feature in Herefordshire is being inspected to see if it has been affected by flood water over the weekend.

Archaeologists have said the Rotherwas Ribbon, found by road builders, could be as important as Stonehenge.

There has been a campaign to save the feature from being buried underneath a relief road by Herefordshire Council.

Campaigners have previously said they feared the Ribbon could be washed away if there was more heavy rain.

The 197ft (60m) long ribbon of stones was discovered by digger operators working on the new access road in Rotherwas, near Hereford.

'Probably damaged'

It is made up of a series of deliberately fire-cracked stones and appears to have been deliberately sculptured to undulate through the whole of its length that has so far been uncovered.

A spokeswoman for Herefordshire Council said experts were examining the site on Monday afternoon.

A planned tour of the site on Tuesday for members of the public was called off because of fears it could damage the find.

Campaigners have said that the Ribbon was left uncovered over the weekend and has "probably been damaged".