A RING lost around 2,000 years ago was found by a treasure hunter in Monmouthshire, an inquest was told.

David Saunders, of Pencoed Place, Croesyceilog, found the ring in July 2003 while out with a metal detector in the Shirenewton area.

Realising it was something special, he took it to the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, the hearing to decide whether the item is treasure trove was told.

Mr Saunders told the Newport hearing: "I knew that it was old, so I declared it to the museum. Up until recently I thought they were going to give it back to me - they didn't seem to be that interested. I have been around that area again but not found anything significant."

As is usual when such pieces are found, exactly where the ring turned up is being kept secret to prevent treasure hunters from inundating the site.

Because the ring is made of precious metal and is more than 300 years old, it was officially declared 'treasure' at Newport coronor's court.

After the hearing, Edward Besly, assistant keeper at the National Museum of Wales, confirmed the ring is Roman and that it once held a stone, but it was found under about five inches of soil in a field and years of ploughing have bent it out of shape.

It is still valuable, although Mr Besly could not be persuaded to guess its worth.

He said it was possible his museum, or another in Chepstow, would buy the ring. He explained: "It is quite a small ring made of two strands of gold wire. I think it will be acquired by a museum but I am not sure which one.

"If a museum acquires it, the finder receives a reward equivalent to its value."

The ring will be sent to London to be valued by an independent committee.