AN ANGLO-Saxon coin horde is just one of a set of Cumbria's unique historical treasures that has been put on show.

Items also include medieval rings and brooches which have recently been found by metal detectorists and declared as treasure by the coroner.

They were recently bought by Penrith and Eden Museum, based in the town's Middlegate, through the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme and were valued by its Treasure Valuation Court - it sets the levels of remuneration which are shared between the finders and landowners.

Curators Dr Sydney Chapman and Rebecca Short said: "We were delighted to have these intriguing discoveries on show and joining an array of other such finds representing the rich and diverse historical culture of Penrith and the Eden Valley."

One is a medieval silver finger ring from Kirkby Thore, dating from around 1150 to1250.

It displays two beasts’ heads with protruding eyes and has an incised cross design within rectangles - it was bought for £200.

There is also a medieval gold stirrup-shaped finger ring, dating from the 13th century, found at Waitby, near Kirkby Stephen.

It has a small green gem set in its triangular shaped top and was popular around 1150. The Friends of Penrith and Eden Museum bought it for £600.

Another item of jewellery, also from Waitby, is a medieval silver teardrop brooch made between1200 and 1400 which has a pair of cylinder settings originally holding gems. This was bought for £100.

The hoard of 37 Northumbrian Anglo-Saxon coins from Wharton near Kirkby Stephen has also been put on display.

They are known as stycas and were minted during the reigns of four kings of pre-Viking Northumbria - Eanred who reigned 810-840, Æthelred the Second who reigned between 840 to 848 - except for the year around 844 when Redwulf was king and Osberht who reigned from around 848-867.

Osberht was killed during attempts to recapture York from a Viking army and the presence of a coin of this king means the hoard was deposited after 848.

Valued at £1,200 the friends of the museum contributed £600 towards its purchase.

As an accredited museum the Portable Antiquities Scheme allows the museum to have first option to acquire material from the district which is declared treasure.