A HAUL of Anglo-Saxon gold that was catalogued by North Lincolnshire expert Dr Kevin Leahy has been valued at £3.28-million.

The treasure dates back to between 675 and 725AD and was the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever to be discovered.

It was found in a Staffordshire field by metal detecting enthusiast Terry Herbert in July.

He will share the windfall with landowner Fred Johnson after the loot was valued by an independent Treasure Valuation Committee at the British Museum on Wednesday.

Two museums in the West Midlands have launched a fundraising campaign to buy the hoard.

Dr Leahy said: "I catalogued it but I wasn't involved in the valuation.

"I had no idea of what mark it would come in at.

"I am very glad that it has been valued and pleased that the valuation has been accepted by the landowner and the finder.

"Now, we can move on and the museums can raise the money to purchase it."

Dr Leahy, who is now national finds adviser for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, said the find was 'completely unprecedented' and said such a haul was unlikely to be discovered again.

"We wouldn't have expected it the first time, let alone again," he said.

"It is not just the biggest haul of Anglo-Saxon gold to be found, it is the only one."

For the full story, buy today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.