A stunned metal detector user hunting near Margaret Thatcher's birthplace found an ancient coin depicting a warrior leader that looked just like the Iron Lady.

David Baker was searching a muddy field near Grantham when he uncovered the 2,000-year-old silver coin.

On one side was the head of a tribal leader or goddess which passed an uncanny resemblance to the former Prime Minister.

On its reverse was a celtic armed war horse - imagery that was often associated with Lady Thatcher during her 1980s pomp.

Treasure hunter Mr Baker (40), who lives near Grantham, said: "I dug down with my trowel when my detector went off and got quite excited when I saw the coin.

"But I couldn't believe it when I cleaned it up a bit and saw this image of Margaret Thatcher glaring up at me.

"It is so ironic that she was born close to where I found it and that it is also from the Iron Age - and she was known as the Iron Lady."

Only 10 of these celtic coins from about 40BC have ever been found and, according to one expert, this is the finest ever unearthed.

It is said to be of the Trinovantian tribe that were from north of the Thames.

For more on the coin, including pictures, see Thursday's Echo.