Ancient tankard replica on show

The tankard was produced by Celts in south east England

A replica of an ancient Celtic artefact is being exhibited at a new heritage centre in Gwynedd to celebrate the lives of its two most famous sons - a poet and Catholic martyr.

Llys Ednowian Heritage Centre in Trawsfynydd, which opens next month, has commissioned a replica of the Trawsfynydd Tankard as part of an exhibition celebrating the village's history.

The original tankard, made from staves of yew wood and covered in bronze, was discovered in the village in the mid 1850s and dates from circa 100 BC.

It is currently on display at the National Museum in Liverpool.

Llys Ednowian's manager Dewi Prysor said: "Unfortunately, the museum couldn't let us display the original tankard so it was decided to commission a company specializing in producing replicas to provide us with a copy.

"It was quite a find archeologically and for art people it's almost priceless."

St John Roberts descended from the Welsh princes of Gwynedd

Mr Prysor said the intricate Celtic design handle was influenced by artists in the Middle East and eastern Europe and marked a shift away from what had been more traditional style of portraying animals.

He said its discovery in Gwynedd was evidence that cultural and trade links existed between the Celts of north Wales and the rest of Europe.

A multi-media exhibition will feature the life of Ellis Humphrey Evans, known by the bardic name Hedd Wyn, the poet whose story was brought to international attention by the 1992 Oscar-nominated film of his life.

Hedd Wyn was posthumously awarded the eisteddfod chair in after being killed at Ypres during World War I.

It will also celebrate Saint John Roberts, a priest who was hanged, drawn and quartered as a Catholic dissenter in 1610 and canonised in 1970.

The centre, which opens on 3 April, will create four jobs and include a hostel catering for mountain bikers and ramblers.