Funds needed to keep Viking hoard in South Cumbria

The hoard of Viking silver coins and artefacts is valued at £49,500

A fundraising appeal is under way to keep a Viking treasure find within South Cumbria.

The Furness Hoard of Viking Treasure was found a year ago at an undisclosed site by a metal detector enthusiast.

Campaigners need to raise £50,000 to buy and put it on display at the Dock Museum in Barrow.

The Furness Maritime Trust, a charity that supports the museum, has offered £19,000, meaning fundraisers need to raise £31,000.

The hoard includes 92 silver coins, ingots and part of a bracelet.

Following its discovery, in July 2010, it was declared as treasure, giving museums the rights to acquire it.

The find also resulted in a change in thinking about 10th Century history, as it suggests Furness was ruled by Vikings, not English kings, at the time.