Intrigue from Viking haul

Experts at the British Museum are examining a silver Viking hoard that was found buried and could shed light on a murky period of history.

Some 200 coins and pieces of jewellery were found in September by Darren Webster using a metal detector on land at Silverdale in north Lancashire.

It includes a coin that is thought to refer to a previously unknown Viking ruler in northern England and also coins from the time of Alfred the Great – who reigned 871-99 – and from the Viking kingdom of Northumbria.

A coroner is to decide whether it qualifies as treasure.