STEPPING UP ... Hilda Abbott with the wheelbarrow coal found in her shed

The huge lump was discovered in a shed and has now found a place of honour in Rushden Historical Transport Society's museum.

Coal merchants stopped delivering fuel in this form about 30 years ago.

Society chairman Richard Woodcock said: "It was known as 'wheelbarrow coal' and was delivered in huge lumps.

"It had been lying in a shed in Rushden for many years and we believe it was among the last coal delivered through the railway station when it was in business."

The coal belonged to pensioner Hilda Abbott, of Montagu Street, Rushden.

Mr Woodcock said: "She originally had coal fires, but in the early 60s had storage heaters put in the house. The coal had just been left in the shed."

First footers traditionally carry a piece of coal, bread and a "wee dram" across the threshold to see in the New Year.