A MEDIEVAL gold brooch dug up in a farmer's field but "good enough to wear today" was one of a host of precious finds from Oxfordshire declared treasure today.

The rectangular brooch, dating from AD 1230 to 1350, will now be valued by a panel at the British Museum along with other treasures from around the UK.

Oxfordshire County Council's museum service will then apply for grants so it can buy back local discoveries and put them on public display.

The gold brooch was dug up by Chinnor metal detectorist Kevin Ford in a field not far from his home in the village on Wednesday, August 26.

Finds Liaison Officer for Oxfordshire Anni Byard said today it stood out because it was in "very fine condition".

She added: "This brooch is unusual because of its quality and completeness: you could almost wear it now, and considering it's about 800 years old, that is very nice".

The brooch was one of four finds from Oxfordshire which were declared treasure by Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter at an inquest in Oxford.

He also declared a Medieval silver belt end decorated with a "snarling beast" in strikingly good condition and a Medieval silver ring, both dug up by West Oxfordshire metal detectorist Noel Rice.

A hoard of about 100 copper and two silver Roman coins dug up by Brightwell treasure hunter Warren Cave in North Moreton, near Didcot, was also declared treasure.

More details about all treasure dug up in Oxfordshire can be found at finds.org.uk