AXE fragments from more than 2,500 years ago have been found on farmland in south Herefordshire.

The late Bronze Age axe hoard was found on August 5 last year in Orcop on land owned by farmer Nigel Bowen.

He gave John Bromley permission to search with a metal detector on land away from his main farm, which led to the discovery of the 18 fragments.

The discovery was reported to the county coroner, Mark Bricknell, who held an inquest today.

The fragments were examined by the British Museum and confirmed as prehistoric base metal items found within close proximity of each other, which led to Mr Bricknell declaring the find as treasure.

Mr Bromley said: "I love history. Most of the find came from the banks of a stream running through an edge of a field and at first I thought I was recovering an offering."

He explained that people would throw offerings into the water to keep the Gods happy.

But he said he then found part of a casting sprue, which is part of a mould, and suggests the items were part of a founder's hoard- items which were being kept to melt down to create axes and knives etc.

Mr Bromley added: "I was quite pleased with it. I haven't been back on site to carry on the search but anything I do find will automatically be added to the hoard."

The items will now be sent for evaluation as a formality and the Hereford Museum has expressed an interest.

Mr Bromley said he and Mr Bowen are both happy for the items to be donated to the museum.

The Bronze Age is a period of British history that lasted from approximately 2,500 BC to 800 BC and marks a time when bronze replaced stone as the preferred material for making tools and weapons.