TWO schoolgirls made the discovery of a lifetime while playing in a York park - a box of buried treasure.

In a scene straight from the pages of a Famous Five novel, Millthorpe School pupils Bee Boon, and Rachael Waite, both aged 15, dug up more than a dozen pieces of gold and silver jewellery while larking around in West Bank Park, off Acomb Road.

"It was so exciting," said Bee, from York Road, Acomb.

"It's the classic childhood dream to find buried treasure in the woods. It was a once in a lifetime thing to happen."

The girls made the discovery after spotting a piece of red material sticking out of the ground in the park's wooded area. They dug the soil away with their hands, and were amazed to find a battered jewellery case followed by about 15 pieces of jewellery, old coins and two faded photographs.

The jewellery included a set of gold cufflinks, a child's silver christening bracelet, silver necklaces, a gold pendant and several rings embossed with markings from the Far East.

They also dug up a pair of two-shilling coins and a coin commemorating the wedding of Charles and Diana.

The box, which was made in Sweden, and the other treasures have now been handed in to the police, to try and unravel the mystery and reunite the jewellery with its rightful owner.

"We don't know how valuable it all is and think it might have been stolen," said Bee.

"We were screaming our heads off when we found the jewellery - we couldn't believe it."

Bee's mum, Anne Wooldridge, said they were keen to solve the mystery.

"It's like somebody's life story contained within this box," she said.

"The girls were so excited even though they are teenagers. Every piece of jewellery is probably special to someone and we hope the police can find the owner.

"The whole thing is like something from a book."

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York Police, said initial inquiries had not linked the find to a recent burglary or theft, but any resident who recognises the description of the items should call the police.

He said officers would hold on to the items for at least three months. After that time the finders may have the jewellery returned to them.21.

Updated: 10:44 Tuesday, June 01, 2004