HAMPSHIRE metal detector enthusiasts unearthed three silver coins dating back to Anglo-Saxon times in a farmer's field.

The rare finds were deemed to be treasure at an inquest held at Winchester Coroner's Court yesterday.

They were found by two members of the Hampshire Detector Club at a field in the Itchen Valley on February 22.

The court heard that the fact that three coins dating from the same time had all been uncovered in close proximity made the find rare.

The coins were examined by experts at the British Museum and will probably now be given to a local museum to display.

Hampshire finds liaison officer Jodi McCrochan, based at Winchester Museums Service, confirmed that the coins, also known as sceats or sceattas, were silver and that they dated back to the first half of the eighth century.

She believed that they had been dropped at the same time and then scattered over the years as the field was ploughed.

Ms McCrochan said: "I haven't had a group of Saxon coins brought into me in my time at Winchester Museums Service. I have had a number of individual coins but never a group before. They are also in good condition compared to others I have seen."

Richard Cooper, of Charnwood Way, Blackfield, found two of the coins during the organised search.

He has been a keen metal detectorist for four years.

Speaking after the inquest, he said: "Being in the right place at the right time helps but hard work and doing your homework is also involved. I was pleased that I found them but I am less pleased that I won't get them back.

"Local people will see them providing they go on display but the danger is that only ten per cent of a museum's finds go on show at one time. Tiny coins won't stand out much."

Mr Cooper believes the coins are worth about £100 each. A committee at the British Museum will now formally value them.

Mr Cooper said it was the first time members had searched the field but that they have been back on several occasions since.