Leominster character and Honorary Townsman Alec Haines is trying to find out more about a rare Russian coin with a Leominster link.

Early in the last century as the First World War raged in Europe a Leominster man whose military service took him into Russia, helped a starving family with a gift of food.

The loaf of bread and a large lump of rather mouldy cheese given by Tom Bounds was rewarded with a very large copper coin worth five kopecks.

The coin, weighing almost two ounces, bears the arms of Catherine the Great. Alec Haines, a former mayor of Leominster known for his love of history and antiquities, was given the coin more than 50 years ago.

Recently, while visiting the USA he showed it to a Russian expert who was very excited at seeing it - the currency of the imperial era was destroyed following the Russian revolution. "She had never seen such a coin before and said it was very rare," said Alec.

He says he would be very happy for any local collector or expert to take a look at the coin.