LEDBURY Baptist Church has solved a grave mystery, thanks to the Ledbury Reporter.

Last week the paper published a plea from church members asking for information about a grave situated just outside the front door of the church.

The grave bears the names of Matilda Edwards and James Dando Treherne, and members of the congregation wondered why, if they were man and wife, they had different names.

History buff Steve Wolstencroft got in touch and said her maiden name may have been used on the gravestone so that if his second wife was also buried there, there would be no confusion.

He revealed that Mr Treherne was born in Ledbury in 1808 and died in the Homend in 1880. He was a grocer and tallow chandler at Lower Cross and Matilda was his first wife.

The Baptists have also discovered that Matilda was one of eight founder members of the church and this is probably why she was buried in such a prominent position.

"We’re delighted with the response from the Ledbury Reporter," said secretary Gill Blows. “We also had contact from someone who has a copy of a former history of the church so it’s been enormously helpful. If anyone else has any photos or memorabilia we can use on our open day we’d love to hear from them."