Treasure hunting

IN A rain-lashed field in deepest Dorset, treasure-hunter David Spohr moved to a familiar refrain: squelch… splosh… ping!

The big hope is that the “ping” will be Mr Spohr’s metal detector honing in on something ancient and precious hidden beneath the soil. Unfortunately, like most treasure-hunters, he spends a lot of time digging up old nails and rusty beer cans.

But the 55-year-old has hit the jackpot.

On a routine foray into the Tarrant Valley, he found a 3500-year-old gold lunula – a chest ornament worn by a Bronze Age chieftain.

The rare, near-perfect piece is being assessed by experts, but is thought to be worth about £20,000, and is likely to go to the British Museum.