A TREASURE trove of jewellery and coins discovered across Oxfordshire from the Middle Bronze Age, Iron Age and early Medieval period has been described as a 'pirate's dream'.

From rings to pendants, eight pieces of the past which have recently been dug up were brought before Oxford Coroner's Court on Thursday.

Anni Byard, the British Museum's finds liaison officer for Oxfordshire, said the finds were 'very exciting' and her favourite was the Middle Bronze Age hoard discovered in Bix, South Oxfordshire.

She said: "They were found in a small vessel and included quite a rare razor and a delicate bracelet.

"They are both very lovely objects and from the age where we start seeing items of personal adornment.

"The trouble was before this period, things would have been made organically and of course would not have lasted throughout all these centuries."

Also brought before coroner Darren Salter were three silver pennies from the period of Edward the Confessor, found in Radley.

Metal detectorist Bert Day, from Botley, happened upon the coin in a 'pretty fine' condition.

The 68-year-old has been a detectorist for more than 25 years.

He said: "I'm really chuffed to have found it, I hope its worth quite a bit.

"I think one of the best things I've found over the years has been a gold Aureus, Tetsworth way - that was bout 15 years ago and I got about £700 for it.

"There are a few things that I would still like to find perhaps a posy ring and then a gold hammer [nickname detectorists give to medieval coins.]"

But for Coroner's court officer Beth Hale, her favourite piece was the post medieval gold signet ring found in Bampton.

She said: "It's just so detailed and beautiful.

"I'd be interested to learn how much it's worth."

An Anglo Saxon gold and garnet stud was found in Milton-Under-Wychwood and an Early Medieval pendant with glass inlay was discovered in Cumnor.

Ms Byard added: "Oxfordshire is a great place to find some really exciting pieces.

"We have detectorists from all over Europe come here to see what they can find.

"One of the earliest objects was found in Oxfordshire which were some hand axes that we think date back to 350,000 BC."

The items were formally declared as treasure by the coroner and will be sent to be valued.

Once this has taken place, they will be purchased by the British Museum. Half of the cash goes to the person who found them and the rest goes to the landowner.

For more information about the treasure visit: finds.org.uk/database