TREASURE hunters have helped raise more than £800 to refurbish a medieval church, simply by trudging through a field.About 65 people armed with metal detectors turned out on a dreary Sunday to scour a field in aid of Bacton Church.

TREASURE hunters have helped raise more than £800 to refurbish a medieval church, simply by trudging through a field.

About 65 people armed with metal detectors turned out on a dreary Sunday to scour a field in aid of Bacton Church.

Having paid for the pleasure of doing, so they contributed vital funds for the upkeep and repair of the village church and turned up some interesting artefacts at the same time.

Rose Graham, of the Friends of Bacton Church, said: "It was a great success, it was the first time we had ever done anything like this and we found all sorts of things."

Among the spoils from yesterday's event were coins dating from the time of King Canute, Edward I, Henry II and Elizabeth I, along with a medieval seal, which has been taken away by an archaeologist for further investigation, and a late Saxon cross.

Mrs Graham said: "It was very, very exciting and we were very lucky to have whole day without it raining. It could have been real wash-out, we are so pleased and we hope to do it again next year."

The finds have not yet been valued, but any proceeds raised from them will be split between the finder, the landowner and the church fund.

Bacton parish church is one of Suffolk's many striking medieval churches and boasts a double hammer beam roof and a medieval painting reminding sinners of the descent into hell.