First glimpse of historic canoe

Radiocarbon testing dates the boat between 775 and 890 AD

A canoe thought to date back 1,200 years, which was found off the Suffolk coast in 1998, has gone on display for the first time.

The 16ft-long dugout tree-trunk was trawled up by a Dunwich fisherman.

It was stored in a lagoon close to the village before being transferred to a specially prepared conservation tank at the marine finds unit at Bentwaters.

The eighth century vessel is now on show at the National Trust centre at Sutton Hoo, in Suffolk.

Radiocarbon testing on the wood has dated the boat to between 775 and 890 AD.

In recent years, two 10ft long side rudders were found in the Covehithe area of the county.

They have been dated to the 10th century.

The dugout is one of the highlights of this year's Anglo-Saxon Festival at Sutton Hoo.