A YEAR after a hoard of Roman coins was discovered on Bredon Hill, a campaign to ensure the important find stays in the county has raised nearly £9,000.

Museums Worcestershire has been working hard to raise the £40,000 needed to acquire, conserve and display the hoard, which was discovered last October.

They now have just two months left to raise the remaining cash for the hoard, which is currently in the British Museum.

The haul of treasure was the largest ever discovered in the county with just under 4,000 coins spanning 16 Roman emperors found by the two metal detectorists.

Research undertaken by Worcestershire Archaeology and Archives Service with the British Museum showed the hoard was buried nearly a century after it was gathered – the only known such British example – meaning it is of national significance.

Museums Worcestershire hopes to acquire and conserve the coins and then display them at a number of venues across the county.

Councillor John Campion, chairman of the joint museums committee, said: “It is vitally important the hoard stays in Worcestershire. The residents of the county have been fantastic at coming forward with their donations and with the help of Worcestershire Archaeological Society we are well on the way to raising the money necessary to acquire the hoard. Museums Worcestershire will plan further fund-raising in the future to conserve and display the coins.”

Donations can be made online at charitychoice.co.uk/worcestershire-hoard/ or by visiting the Museums Worcestershire website museumsworcestershire.org.uk. People can also give by texting COIN11 and the amount of money to 70070, or by popping into the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, the Commandery in Worcester or the County Museum at Hartlebury