An Ancient Egyptian coffin has been unearthed at a home on the north Essex coast.

The coffin, thought to be 3,000 years old and belonging to a noble woman, was discovered by Mark Stacey, an auctioneer at Colchester’s Reeman Dansie auction house and star of TV show Flog It.

The family who owned the coffin, who have asked for their town not to be identified, acquired the unusual item from a museum in the 1950s.

It is expected to fetch between £4,000 to £6,000 when it goes under the hammer in Colchester during an antiques auction on November 24 and 25.

Mr Stacey said: “The coffin is believed to date from the 22nd Dynasty and is in remarkable condition considering its age.

“Despite having some old restoration, it still has beautiful carved facial features to the mask and some fascinating carved features to the interior.

“I love history but little did I know that on that morning I would come face to face with Ancient Egypt.

“The hairs went up on the back of my neck.

“It is certainly the oldest item I have been asked to look at in my 30 year career and probably one of the most exciting.”