DOZENS of buried treasure troves were discovered in Shropshire last year, figures reveal.

Fortune hunters and metal detectorists made 31 discoveries in 2020, data from the British Museum and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport shows.

It means a total of 153 finds have been reported in Shropshire since records began in 2012, the figures show.

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the number of treasure finds topped 1,000 for the seventh year in a row in 2020 – 1,077 were recorded last year.

The British Museum said restrictions on people's exercise during coronavirus lockdowns contributed to a boost in unexpected garden discoveries last year.

More than 6,000 finds – which could include a single object or a hoard of coins – were recorded with the museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme during the first lockdown alone, when hunting with a metal detector outside the home was banned.

Former culture minister Caroline Dinenage said it was "brilliant" to see the scheme grow from strength to strength during lockdown thanks to garden finds and digital reporting.

Anyone who thinks they have struck a hidden hoard has to tell the coroner within two weeks, so they can hold an inquest to decide whether it constitutes treasure and who will receive the items.

If they don't, they face an unlimited fine or up to three months behind bars.

Local and national museums are given the chance to purchase any pieces a coroner rules as treasure, but the finder doesn't leave empty-handed – they will be paid a sum depending on the haul's value.

In 2020, 96 treasure finds were reported across the West Midlands.