... the ceiling rather than Heaven – but Alan and Michelle Powell of The Fountain Inn, Parkend were still delighted by their find.

Alan was replacing the ceiling under the bar when he found a halfpenny from 1773 and a penny dated 1864.

Alan said: “The older coin is particularly interesting as this part of the building was once a cottage dating back to around 1767 and is the oldest surviving building in Parkend.

“It would have been lost when the building and the village were in their infancy.

“It’s a nice piece of Fountain Inn and Parkend village history.”

The couple plan to publish a book on its history next year – their 30th anniversary of taking on the pub.