A HEREFORD man’s hobby has led to the discovery of 17th century treasure in a county field.

A silver sealed matrix was found by Simon Sloan, of Coniston Walk, Westfields, who, with the permission of landowner Crawford Perkins, was metal detecting on farmland near Moreton-on-Lugg.

The item was qualified by the British Museum as being treasure as it has the minimum 10% silver content and is at least 300 years old. It is thought to date from the latter half of the 17th century.

The face of the seal, which weighs just under four grams, is oval shaped.

Deputy coroner for Herefordshire Mark Bricknell said at a Treasure Trove inquest that the item would go to the British Museum, which would decide whether to buy it or return it to the finder.

Hereford Museum has also shown an interest.