The head will go on display at Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum at Wallsend from April to June, prior to the British Museum exhibition opening in July.

The objects on show in the summer exhibition in London are part of a collection seen for the first time in the UK and include "exquisite bronzes and architectural fragments".

Before the exhibition at the British Museum the bronze head, dating from the second century, will travel to both ends of Hadrian's Wall, which Hadrian ordered to be built as a Roman frontier.

The head comes from a huge statue, measuring one and a quarter that of life size, which would have been on public display in London to commemorate Hadrian's visit to Britain in AD122.

Geoff Woodward, curator at Segedunum Roman Fort said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to display this unique and important piece at Segedunum.

"This is the first time that the original head has left London which underlines the strength of our ongoing partnership with the British Museum.

"The head is going on display as a precursor to Hadrian: Empire and Conflict, a landmark exhibition being held at the British Museum in July."

It is the first time it will have been seen in the north of England, and as well as being at the Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum between April and June, it will also be shown at Tullie House in Carlisle.