Metal detectorist on his first hunt finds buried Roman and Viking treasure stolen from Ludlow

The items including jewellery, ancient Egyptian relics and medieval Bronze Age pieces had been taken from a home in Ludlow, in March 2017, and were found recently in a field in Polfields Coppice, Doddenham, Worcestershire.

The treasure rested there, beneath the earth, for four years, before a man on his first day with his metal detector discovered the exciting find within the dirt and reported it to the landowner and the coroner's office.

Now, after an investigation that determined who they belonged to, the items worth in excess of £5,500 have been reunited with their rightful owners.

Amateur metal detectorist Charles Cartwright who made the stunning find, said: “I have so many questions in relation to these items and can't wait to speak to the owner.

"I can't believe this is my first time out with the metal detector to find such an amazing find is just incredible."

Charles recognised that some items may be Roman and from the Iron Age and notified the coroner.

The treasure has now been reunited with its grateful owner, who said: “I really don’t know what to say. I am so pleased to get these items back.

"We had resigned ourselves to the fact we wouldn’t get them back as they had been gone that long, you just don’t even think about them being returned anymore.”

DC Tom Court, of West Mercia Police, said: "The metal detecting community have helped to reunite the rightful owners with the Roman and Viking jewellery and other treasure items.

"We will continue to investigate who took these items and buried them. We are exceptionally pleased to be able to return the items to the rightful owner and once again thank Charles for finding and reporting them promptly.

Charles added: “You always hear stories like this, but you never get to be a part of one. So, it is exciting to be part of such a happy conclusion.”