A TWO THOUSAND year old apple from Pompeii will be one of the artefacts on sale in an antiques fair at Harewood.

The carbonated apple was found with other fruit during 19th Century excavations of the Roman city's market place, according to organisers of the fair.

It is being sold for £550 by Odyssey, a dealer in ancient and medieval antiquities and coins.

Organisers say: "Its blackened and petrified state is a result of the intense heat due to being buried by hot volcanic ash when Pompeii was engulfed following the famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 24th August AD 79. This extremely rare example is from the collection of antiquities formed by the late Rev Geoffrey Elford Stephens."

The ancient fruit is one of the more unusual items on sale at the event, which takes place from Friday, May 12 to Sunday, May 14. Now in its 6th year the event is being staged by The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited.

Other notable items on sale include British, Greek and Middle Eastern glades and arrowheads, dating from the second millennium BC, and a 1646 map of the West Riding of Yorkshire by Jan Jansson.

The fair is open from 11am to 6pm on Friday, 10.30am to 6pm on Saturday, and10.30am to 5pm on Sunday. Tickets cost £5 each and include free parking and access to Harewood’s grounds and Below Stairs. Entry is free for Harewood members. Contact The Antiques Dealers Fair Ltd 01797 252030 or info@adfl.co.uk or through Eventbrite http://tinyurl.com/z5e6bnq