A FRAMED portrait of a woman found floating down the River Severn is puzzling its finder.

The Lydney man spotted the part-gilded wooden frame bobbing in the water as he fished for elvers at Minsterworth.

He scooped it up and took it home to his wife, who was able to take the picture of a young woman out and dry it to save it from deteriorating.

The frame itself is of a reasonably modern design but the print could be quite old.

The fisherman said he was quite happy for the portrait to be returned should its owner be traced, and wonders if it is either somebody's property which has been washed into the river by recent flooding or part of a burglary haul.

He said he would rather not be named in case somebody did not want it found and would be annoyed that it hadn't sunk!