THE largest haul of treasure ever found in the UK, which was discovered in Worcestershire three years ago, will be on display for years to come thanks to a generous grant from a museum charity.

The stash of almost 4,000 Roman coins was found in Bredon Hill by metal detecting enthusiasts in June 2011.

Now Worcestershire County Council’s archive and archaeology service has been handed a £5,000 grant by the Treasure Plus programme, meaning work can commence to conserve the find – popularly known as the Bredon Hoard.

Research undertaken by the archaeology and archives service alongside the British Museum has suggested the hoard was buried nearly a century after it was accumulated – the only stash of its kind ever found in Britain.

The Treasure Plus programme is a project set up by national charity the Art Fund alongside the Headley Trust.

The county council’s cabinet member for local communities Lucy Hodgson said: "We are very grateful to the Art Fund and The Headley Trust for recognising the importance of the Bredon Hoard not only from a local perspective but also for its national significance.

“Their grant will ensure that local people and visitors to the county will be able to experience the hoard for years to come, as well as appreciate the conservation work as it takes place.

“We are very also very grateful to the communities of Worcestershire who supported us in initially raising the money needed to acquire the Hoard.

“We hope Worcestershire residents will take the opportunity to come and see the hoard as the decades of mud and soil are cleaned away.

“It is still amazing to think this was buried in the Worcestershire ground for 1,800 years."

Conservation work will begin in September at the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum in Foregate Street and special open days will be held where visitors can watch the work as it happens.

For more information visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk.