A 350 million-year-old fossil has been uncovered in Denbighshire.
The relic has been unearthed during work to create a new footpath at one of Denbigh’s most scenic spots.
The preserved fossil of a branching coral was discovered as volunteers cleared an old quarry believed to have been used in medieval times.
The specimen, now on display in Denbigh Library and Museum, was laid down in the sediment of a warm tropical sea which once covered the area and which left the limestone which has made the town a quarrying centre since pre-Roman times.
350 million years ago the environment of Denbigh was similar to that of the Great Barrier Reef and populated by corals, sponges and prehistoric sharks and squid.
The work which uncovered the fossil has also meant that Denbigh now has a special new footpath to allow the elderly, disabled and children in buggies to enjoy one of town’s most impressive views.
The new stretch of the Mount Wood path has been created by volunteers with funding from Cadwyn Clwyd, the rural regeneration agency.
“When we first started three years ago, the woodland was completely overgrown,” said Clwyd Wynne, chairman of Denbigh Community Conservation Volunteers.
“We put in new paths and styles, along with seats and murals, on part of the path but the other area was owned by a private landowner.
“Funding from Cadwyn Clwyd has now enabled us to get an agreement with the owner and we’ve cleared the path from the top of Smithfield Road through woods to Groes Road.
“We’ve put in new surfaced paths to replace those that were too steep for elderly people and the disabled or pushchairs.
“The walk is also educational with information boards along the route and finding this fossil just underlines what an incredibly diverse area this is.”
Seats have been put at the top for weary walkers to use while taking in the vistas and there are plans for more information boards and murals.
Local schools, Denbigh Young Carers, Duke of Edinburgh Award groups and organisations such as the Urdd were involved in clearing the woodland path.
“The walks will link with the Offa’s Dyke walk via a system of footpaths,” added Mr Wynne.
The project has been carried out as part of Cadwyn Clwyd’s Rural Tourism Project and project officer Mari Williams said: “We’re delighted we have been able to help make it accessible for more people so they can enjoy this really special part of one of Wales’s most historic towns.”