Visiting hordes see new treasures

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Birmingham as previously unseen items from the Staffordshire Hoard go on show for the first time.

The hoard attracted more than 40,000 visitors to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery throughout its 19-day display in October last year and museum bosses are expecting 60,000 more during this exhibition, which runs until April 18.

Two thousand people are expected to visit the hoard today alone. A total of 59 new items went on display including helmet fragments with intricate animal decorations and warriors. Other artefacts include fragments of decoration featuring eagles and ducks, a crumpled gold cross and a red garnet stud. Rita McLean, head of museums, said the exhibition includes some fascinating religious and military pieces.

She said: "What we have are unprecedented finds. The hoard eclipses every Anglo-Saxon find we have seen before. Many have very delicate engravings and patterns of little warriors holding spears and shields."

The Art Fund, which is leading the fundraising campaign to acquire the treasure on behalf of Birmingham City Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, has today revealed £1.5 million has been raised in public pledges. Other major funding bodies have also been approached, but the target of £3.3m needs to be reached by April 17 deadline.

The Anglo-Saxon treasure, which was found in a field on the Burntwood/Brownhills border, by Terry Herbert's metal detector, is believed to date from the late 6th to early 8 th century AD, and was cared for by Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery until it was declared treasure in September.

The hoard was then transferred to the British Museum in London for valuation which was confirmed on November 26 as £3.3million.

The hoard faces being sold on the open market and possibly going overseas if enough money is not raised to keep it in the Midlands.