A unique discovery was made a recent metal detecting rally.

At the annual metal detecting rally organised by Brampton and Longtown Rotary Club recently, the organisers and metal detectorists were delighted to discover some finds of interest.

One item found by Pete Anning has been confirmed by the finds officer as a medieval copper allow enamelled mount of mid-12th to mid-14th century times.

The mount is almost complete but folded, and possibly shows Saint John with a halo, according to the club.

The find is of a type produced in Limoges in western France and is similar to others identified as decorating devotional metalwork.

The finds officer has suggested that it may have decorated a casket or book plaque.

Information about the mount has been logged on the finds database under the portable antiquities scheme.

This scheme is run by the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by the public in England and Wales.

Pete Anning, who took time out from visiting family in the area was really pleased.

He said: “I was half hoping for some Roman items given we were close to Hadrian’s Wall.

“The said item was approximately 12 inches deep and I knew it was something when I uncovered it – but I didn’t realise quite how important it was until I got back home and posted photos of it on social media, where an archaeologist and fellow detectorist, Peter Faxholm identified it for me.”

The organiser of the event Peter Sedgwick said: “It was really encouraging to have such an exciting find following two years of cancelled events due to the pandemic.

“The event was well attended and raised funds for local and international good causes supported by rotary in Brampton and Longtown.”