The Lichfield Angel, part of the original Shrine to St Chad which was created 1,300 years ago, is to remain on display at Lichfield Cathedral this week before being taken to Birmingham for conservation work.

The angel was discovered under the floor of the present cathedral in 2003 by archaeologists during excavation works for a new retractable Nave platform.

The experts believe the angel to be part of a limestone coffin-shaped box, created by Bishop Hedda to house the bones of St Chad in a new St Peter's Cathedral. St Peter's Cathedral was also discovered under the floor of the present-day cathedral.

The Lichfield Angel went on public display on February 25 alongside the Turning The Pages exhibit, which is a digitised version of the St Chad Gospels - an ancient illuminated manuscript created to adorn the original shrine.

It was originally announced that the Lichfield Angel would be on display until the end of March. Now the Angel will remain at the cathedral until Thursday.

Following the conservation work it will return to the cathedral, probably in about two years.

The Very Rev Adrian Dorber, cathedral dean, said: "We are delighted that so many people have been coming to see the Angel. Many of them have been experiencing Lichfield Cathedral for the first time."