A SAXON hook tag found in a Herefordshire field field has been declared as treasure.

Assistant county coroner Roland Wooderson confirmed that the item, used for securing clothing or bags, was treasure at an inquest last week.

The silver hook tag was found in Brampton Abbotts in June 2007 by Maxine Jones, from Swansea.

In a statement, she said she spent her spare time looking for treasure using a metal detector and had sought permission from Mr Scudamore, who owns the land where the item was found.

After the discovery was made, the hook tag was sent to the British Museum.

Hilary Orange, from the British Museum, said that the find qualified as treasure due to its age and precious metal content.

It dates from the 8th or 9th century, has a round head with two holes cut out of it and is decorated with an unusual blossom pattern with eight petals.

The hook tag’s length is 21.4mm, its diameter is13.2mm and it weighs 0.9 grams.