Chance for hordes to see Staffordshire Hoard

Treasures from the Staffordshire Hoard go on display in Stafford for the first time tomorrow as the relics, valued at £3.3 million, go on tour.

More than 40 of the gold and silver items will be exhibited in the Shire Hall Gallery until July 24.

The Seventh Century relics were uncovered in a farmer's field at Hammerwich, on the Burntwood/Brownhills border, two years ago.

The Staffordshire Hoard on Tour exhibition, which will be going on to Lichfield Cathedral and Tamworth Castle after Stafford, features some of the star items from the 3,700 that were recovered from the ground.

It was the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver ever found.

People can see the exhibition for free but 45-minute slots have to be booked in advance online at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/hoard or call the gallery on 01785 278345.

Tickets can be booked up to 4pm on the day before a visit.

Last week it was confirmed that Stafford security firm Mayflower Control Ltd had been appointed to guard the Hoard.

Another attraction in the display will be the metal detector that enthusiast Terry Herbert from Burntwood was using when he first discovered the hoard. The exhibition will also tell how archaeologists worked in secret to unearth the hoard. On July 23 Market Square will be used for an Anglo-Saxon summer event.

The exhibition moves on to Lichfield Cathedral from July 30 to August 21 and Tamworth Castle between August 27 and September 18. Free tickets and paid-for tours for the cathedral can be booked through the Lichfield Garrick on 01543 412121. The castle tickets are available at Tamworth Information Centre on 01827 709618.