Anglo Saxon silver pieces dug up in a farmer's field were today hailed as one of the most significant archaeological finds in York in recent years.

The nine pieces of intricately carved silver, described as the Rolex watches of their day, were found by members of a club using metal detectors and are being looked after by experts at the British Museum.

Now, the Yorkshire Museum wants to buy the pieces, which are worth thousands of pounds, to bring them back to their natural home.

Craig Barclay, from the museum, said six of the pieces were strap ends, worn on the end of belts, and three were pieces of a silver brooch.

He said the strap ends were used to stop the ends of belts fraying, but were also a display of wealth.

"These items would have been expensive to manufacture. The person who owned them was of some wealth and of some consequence. They were the Rolex watch of their day," he said.

He was speaking at a special inquest at York's Friends' Meeting House held to determine whether the items were treasure, and therefore the property of the Crown.

Nine out of ten items found were around 97 per cent silver and dated from the mid ninth century. This meant they were classed as treasure.

A tenth piece was found to be a modern piece of jewellery worth very little which will be kept by the club member.

The finds will now be valued by an independent valuation committee and the four club members, all from the North East, will receive payment accordingly.

Mr Barclay said: "We would very much hope we would be able to raise the funds necessary to obtain them for the Yorkshire Museum and keep them in the city of York.

"They are certainly one of the most significant finds in recent years."

He said the items were carved in the Trewhiddle style and had been made in the kingdom of Northumbria by a master craftsman.

The farmer, Timothy Bradshaw, and one of the club members Michael White agreed the items should be brought back to York.

Mr Bradshaw, who farms on the outskirts of York but who did not wish the site of the find to be identified further, said it was the first time he had allowed metal detector enthusiasts on to his land.

"I was amazed when they found it - you can see that spot from our breakfast table," he said.

Mr White said: "I can't describe the feeling I had - I knew what I had found - I've found Anglo Saxon stuff before."

Valuable statues thought to have been taken from a York church nearly four years ago may have been discovered in Huddersfield.

A joint police operation involving officers from York and West Yorkshire has resulted in the arrest of a 40-year-old man and the recovery of five statues.

The haul is thought to have been stolen from All Saints Church in Pavement, York, in September 1995.

The man, from Huddersfield, was released on police bail after being interviewed by York CID.

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