A PAIR of prospecting pensioners have discovered a large 16th century silver bead which has been officially classed as treasure of the crown.

Husband and wife team Tony and Alison Phillips, of Barnoldswick in Pendle found the trinket while metal detecting in a field at Crosthwaite, near Kendal.

The intricately decorated jewellery piece has a 15cm diameter and was dug up by Mr Phillips, who is a keen member of Kendal and District Metal Detecting Club.

But South and East Cumbria Coroner Ian Smith told the couple that their rare find had to be handed over to the British Museum in London.

Its worth will be evaluated and split between the couple and land-owners Oliver and Victoria Barratt.

Mr Phillips said he was dismayed at having to part with the treasure.

He said: “We joined the metal detectors because we’ve always been interested in history.

"I like to hold a piece of it and imagine who the last person to hold it would have been.

“Once it’s treasure, it’s out of your hands and we weren’t looking to part with it.

“We’ve kept everything else we’ve ever found because it’s nice to open another bit of history.”

Earlier this year, archaeology enthusiast Craig Scott, from Laneshawbridge, found a silver 14th century ring in just six inches of soil in a field in Cumbria.

It was taken to be restored at the British Museum after Mr Smith declared the ring as treasure at an inquest in Kendal.

Bosses at Kendal Museum are in the process of trying to buy it to display in their collection.