Treasure trove found

METAL detector enthusiasts scouring a farmer's field for lost artefacts have unearthed a haul including fragments of four Roman broaches, a medieval spoon and Elizabethan silver coins lost for four centuries which are now expected to be declared treasure trove.

The detectorists were invited on to the field at Wyverstone owned by farmer James Black to help raise money for the village church, St George's.

Around 40 people scoured the 49 hectare field near Stowmarket, which was chosen because it is close to the site of Wyverstone Manor and used to be crossed by a bridleway.

Metal detectorists finds included medieval pottery, 18th century shoe buckles, Georgian pennies and the four Elizabethan coins, made up of three six pence's and a groat from the reign of Elizabeth 1.

The coins, dating from 1563 to 1582, were minted during the reign of the last Tudor monarch and are thought to be possibly worth up to a total of £200. They were found by tiler Chris Talbot, from Peasenhall near Saxmundham in north Suffolk.

Mr Talbot, 43, a metal detector enthusiast for about two years, said Suffolk Archaeological Services are recording the find.

He said: "Whenever you find something like this it is a great thrill. Your next thought is who lost them. This was probably a great deal of money at the time. What would they have done?''

Mr Talbot, who has found everything from Bronze Age to Roman and medieval artefacts, has notified a coroner and expects the find to be declared treasure trove.

Mr Black said: "We did this a couple of years ago, but couldn't do it again last year because of the foot-and-mouth (crisis).

"My children had a go too, we hired them some metal detectors, but they only found some bent nails. We shall have to carry on working for a little longer!

The fundraising event, held on Sunday, raised between £450 and £500 for the village church's repairs fund.