Hundreds of Roman coins unearthed by a metal detectorist in a field near Gobowen have been declared treasure.

The extraordinary discovery saw 337 Roman silver coins, which were more than 2,000 years old, discovered in north Shropshire.

Described as "the Gobowen hoard", the collection of coins is remarkable for having covered a period of more than 250 years of the Roman republic then empire, hinting at an important role in illustrating the history of the Romans' spread across north Shropshire.

At a hearing at Shirehall in Shrewsbury on Tuesday (January 11), county coroner John Ellery declared the items to be treasure.

The coins dated from the time of the Roman Republic in 209 BC to the time Emperor Vespasian ruled Rome in AD 69.

Mr Elleray commented that the discovery was a fine reminder of the emperors of the times, including the founder of the Empire Augustus, and Vespasian himself, who was responsible for the construction of the Colosseum in Rome.

The hoard will now go on display in a museum in the county, the hearing was told.

The coins were discovered on September 8, 2019 by Darren Booth, a member of the Mold-based Historical Search Society.

Mr Booth used a metal detector to make the find, then contacted Peter Reavill, finds liaison officer of Shropshire and Herefordshire, and Susie White, Mr Reavill's equivalent in North Wales.

Mr Reavill and Mrs White headed the excavation, and the coin hoard was lifted, before being sent to the British Museum in London for professional cleaning. The hearing was told that despite some of the coins losing their surfaces, the hoard was in good condition.

An expert report was made by Dr Denise Wilding, an expert on Roman coins.

The report said a total of 337 Roman silver coins had been found in the hoard.

No coins from the time of Claudius or Nero were found.

The coins discovered underwent cleaning although some succumbed to corrosion.

The Senior Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Coroner, John Ellery concluded the Gobowen find was treasure and said it will go to the Valuation Committee and then be put on display in a Shropshire Museum.