CAMPAIGNERS have already raised more than a third of the money needed to ensure a hoard of Roman coins goes on show.

Cash has been flooding in since the award-winning St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington launched its £30,000 appeal last month with the help of TV historian Dan Snow.

The 1,600 coins, some of which are extremely rare, were found buried in a field near Warborne Farm in Boldre in 2014.

Known as the Boldre Hoard, they were discovered just one-and-a-half miles from St Barbe.

Dan, presenter of Battlefield Britain and other TV shows about the nation’s heritage, has described it as one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries in the New Forest in recent years.

St Barbe wants to buy the third century artefacts from the British Museum in London and return them to the Forest.

Experts say the coins are worth £7,300 - but St Barbe needs tens of thousands of pounds to purchase the hoard, carry out vital preservation work and build a secure display area.

Dan, 37, lives in the Forest and has donated £500 to the appeal.

Money has also been received from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Headley Trust, which supports arts and heritage projects across the UK.

Other donations have been made by Heppenstalls Solicitors, Lymington county councillor Jacqui England, the Ashurst-based Brebbia Foundation and several St Barbe trustees. The current total stands at £11,472.

St Barbe is closed to the public until July next year, when it will re-open with bigger galleries, an enhanced entrance and new facilities.

Museum director Mark Tomlinson said: “We’re delighted that the Boldre Hoard Appeal has got off to a flying start - we are truly grateful to everyone who has donated so far.

“We need a total of £30,000 to purchase, display and interpret the hoard for the local community, visitors to the area and future generations to enjoy.

“It’s our greatest wish that the treasure is brought back to the Forest and becomes a highlight of our museum when we re-open next July.”

Voicing his hope that the hoard returns to Hampshire Dan Snow said: “It’s part of our local story and I hope it remains so.”