NO-ONE managed to identify last week's mystery object.

There were a number of good guesses - including a policeman’s baton or truncheon.

It was, in fact, a bleeding stick, used in animal husbandry.

Experts from Craven Museum and Gallery tell us: "A fleam or a bleeding stick is used for veterinary purposes.

"The fleam is a wooden cylinder stick, which consists of a brass knife with three metal blades inside the cylinder.

"The fleam was used as a bloodletting device to treat injured animals. The blades were placed under the jugular artery and then struck with the fleam stick. This penetrated the veins with minimum risk to the animal."

All items featured in this column can be viewed at the museum, which is run by Craven District Council and is in Skipton Town Hall. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

Meanwhile, we are inviting guesses about this week’s mystery object. Suggestions can be emailed to news@cravenherald.co.uk, to arrive no later than noon on Monday.