Mr Lucas said: "We started to clear away layers of debris, grime, dirt and grease until we got to the stonework in a corner of the cellar.

"And then to our amazement there was more stretching to the other side of the room.

"To think the Romans came here in 43 AD and it is still in pristine condition.

"We did not need to repoint any of the brickwork.

"Just a bit of the brick had chipped away and we were able to fill it with very light chalk and lime."

The Archaeological Society has confirmed the artefact dated back to Roman times but has so far been unable to pinpoint it down to a year.