REPLICAS of two lethal weapons used by Roman soldiers will be on display this weekend when a museum dedicated to the might of the Roman Army opens for the new season.

Two replica bolt shooters, built by the late engineer Tom Feeley, of Greenside, in Gateshead, will be among new attractions in the Roman Army Museum near Greenhead.

Before his death in November 2015, Tom donated the wooden-framed weapons to the museum, alongside a replica suit of chain mail armour.

After a long and distinguished career in the oil industry, Tom devoted many years to the study of Roman equipment.

Working alongside fellow engineer Leonard Morgan and classisist Alan Wilkins, Tom’s curiosity and engineering skills led him to solve age-old mysteries about the ancient equipment and discover how effective the weapons were.

“The bolt shooters are lethal,” said Alan. “Tom loved Roman history and he was determined to carry out experiments to find answers as to how these machines worked and so on.”

Tom’s son, Colin said: “Dad would have been very happy to see these on display here, and how they have been presented, because people can get right up to them.”

Tom was also a member of the Ermine Street Guard, the renowned Roman re-enactment society.

Another new feature at the museum is an inscribed stone, which was found at the home of a Greenhead family during a house renovation.

Locally-based archaeologist Dr Andrew Birley, of the Vindolanda Trust which runs the Roman Army Museum, established that the stone originated from Turret 46A on Hadrian’s Wall. The family who donated the stone wish to remain anonymous.

However, they were among an invited gathering who attended a launch event at the museum on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Dr Birley said: “We are delighted to have added these wonderful artefacts to the museum for the enjoyment of the public.

“It is great to have so many members of Tom Feeley’s family here, as well as Alan and Len who did such remarkable work alongside him.”

Dr Birley also encouraged visitors to make use of the museum’s newly-refurbished toilets, whose walls have been decorated with artwork depicting Roman scenes by Peter Phillips.