A ROMAN ring which is 1,700 years old and was found in a field near Cirencester has been declared treasure.

The Roman silver finger ring – which measures 27mm long by 18mm wide and 19mm thick – was found on farmland on August 2 last year by an unnamed person using a metal detector.

During an inquest at Gloucestershire Coroner's Court on Tuesday, senior coroner Katy Skerrett said: "The silver gilt ring was found in a village in Gloucestershire, south-west of Cirencester.

"It has been examined by the British Museum who establish its age as being between 300 and 325AD.

"It is an oval hoop which is decorated and there is a flat, oval panel setting for a stone, but only the ring remains."

Ms Skerrett certified that the ring is treasure and she said that the Corinium Museum in Cirencester had expressed an interest in acquiring the rare find.

Regardless of whether the Corinium Museum acquires it or it remains in the British Museum collection, the finder and landowner will be paid its market value by the Crown when a figure has been agreed.

To be declared treasure an item has to be at least 300 years old and contain at least 10 per cent silver or gold.