Intrepid East Riding photographers have solved the mystery of Bridlington's long-lost ancient fertility God - The Green Man.
For centuries, the cheeky green-faced Pagan symbol has been camouflaged out of sight by the ceiling decorations at the town's 12th century Priory.
But by chance, Beeford snapper Stuart Burns and his colleague Leigh Tovey, of Hutton Cranswick, spotted The Green Man while shooting pictures for Bridlington Priory's new visitor guide.
Mr Burns, 57, of Main Street, has been interested in the legend of The Green Man for about 20 years and said he was "chuffed to bits" at the exciting find.
Mr Burns said: "I was busy with Leigh photographing some ceiling bosses and did not realise what we had found until we saw the images on my computer.
"At the time we could not really see The Green Man because the pictures were too dark - but we could lighten them up on the computer and see him in his true glory.
"The Green Man is a popular symbol around the world - particularly throughout Europe - but no one knew for sure where he was in Bridlington.
"I was absolutely thrilled that we found it."
Mr Burns said there are 10 times more images of The Green Man in churches than of Christ himself.
One theory is that in Medieval times people also liked to worship Pagan Gods as Christianity was often forced on them.
Reverend John Wardle, rector at Bridlington Priory, said he is finding out more every day about the history of the building.
Mr Wardle said: "He's a rather funny man with his tongue sticking out.
"We knew we had The Green Man but nobody really made anything of it.
"We now have greeting cards with The Green Man on them and they are selling well. It is definitely something for the tourists to mull over."
Marilyn Cameron, of Pagan history website folklegend.com, said the earliest known examples of The Green Man were carved on tombs in France and date back to 400AD.
"Artistically he is sculptured in the form of a full-face with leaves and tendrils growing from his features and hair.
"The ancient Celts worshipped the land and it is possible that the true origins of The Green Man stem from this," she said.
"Representations of The Green Man were used in the borders and decorations of bibles and other religious works and he is even carved, under the instruction of Michelangelo, on the tomb of Pope Julius II in Rome."
**interesting.
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