A LONG-TIME hobby provided a moment to treasure for a metal detector enthusiast from Kidderminster when he hit the jackpot after 20 years.

Philip Harriman unearthed a hoard of 419 Roman coins last year in a field near Chaddesley Corbett - and his find was declared "treasure" by Worcestershire coroner Victor Round at an inquest last week.

Mr Harriman found the coins - dating from 320AD - last summer.

He said: "It was a Sunday - I had been pottering about for the last hour and was heading back to the car when I found the first coin.

"I had done some research and knew there had been Roman activity in the area.

"The coins were scattered over about 40 sq yards in an eight acre field so I could have easily missed them."

The hoard was classed as treasure as it contained more than 100 coins that were over three centuries old and now belong to the crown. They are now stored at Warwick Museum and will be seen by a treasure valuation committee at the British Museum in London.

Mr Harriman, an ambulance worker, said County Museum at Hartlebury Castle was keen on acquiring the coins.

"I can't say how much money I will get for them, but it won't be a huge amount as the coins weren't in very good condition. The real joy is in the hobby and I always rely on the goodwill of farmers to let me go into their fields," he added.