THE hat of a Hollywood screen legend has been hung-up over a well at one of the region's treasured tourist attractions and, as if by magic, has turned to stone.

The old straw hat belonging to John Wayne - a legend and the leading man in Hollywood in his day - has taken pride of place in the petrifying well at Mother Shipton's Cave, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire.

The star, nicknamed The Duke, who died more than 20 years ago, will be remembered for headline westerns and for his Oscar-winning performance as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit.

Now fans can see his hat among other objects that have been turned to stone due to the high mineral content of the cave's water.

The attraction's owner, Adrian Sayers, said the hat belonged to his wife, Liz's family.

"Liz's great-grandfather was given the hat from a friend who met John Wayne on a ranch in America," he said. "It was his own straw hat, not a stage prop."

"As soon as I saw it I knew it had to be hung in the well for all to see."

Also hanging under the flow of "magical" water is a handbag which once belonged to murder-mystery novelist Agatha Christie.

The black bag, which is now encrusted with stone, was donated to the cave by the Agatha Christie Society.

The most recent arrival at the attraction is a green, knitted hat belonging to Emmerdale's Seth Armstrong, played by actor Stan Richards. It has become a trademark of the long-running character and was donated by Yorkshire Television.

Mr Sayers, who has been at the cave for almost two years, said: "People seem to be interested in the items belonging to famous people - I suppose it's just a bit of fun.

"We are always on the look out for new merchandise to hang over the well."