A MEDIEVAL crucifix discovered by a treasure hunter may find a permanent home in the county.

At a treasure trove inquest, West Dorset coroner Michael Johnston said the artefact was found by John Sharp in a ploughed field at farmland near Winterborne Kingston in January.

Mr Johnston said that Mr Sharp, from Shirley Road, Parkstone, found the silver and gold crucifix six inches below the ground using a metal detector.

It was submitted to the British Museum and curator of medieval collections James Robinson said in a statement that it was possibly a pendant that may have been attached to something but dismissed its artistry as “crude”.

He said the silver-gilt crucifix dated from the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century and measured 37mm in length by 28mm in width.

Claire Pinder from the Dorset County Council archaeology team said she would support plans to keep the unique object in the county.

She said: “I think it’s a lovely little object.

“We are more accustomed to finding coins and smaller personal ornaments.

“It’s very tactile and from that point of view it is a very enjoyable object.”

Mr Johnston declared the crucifix as treasure and said that it would now be valued by a team at the British Museum.