Furness Viking treasure appeal reaches £50,000 target

The hoard of Viking silver coins and artefacts will now stay in south Cumbria

A museum has raised almost £50,000 to keep a hoard of Viking treasure in Cumbria, where it was found.

A metal detector enthusiast found the 92 silver coins and ingots near Stainton, Dalton, in 2010.

Barrow Dock Museum launched an appeal to buy the treasure and it has now hit its target.

The hoard was officially declared treasure, giving museums the rights to buy the haul. Museum curator Sabine Skae said she was "over the moon".

The Furness Maritime Trust, a charity that supports the museum, offered £19,000 and a further £31,000 has been raised.

'Aid understanding'

Museum curator, Sabine Skae, said: "The Furness hoard was found locally and we really wanted to buy it so that it stays locally on display and everyone can see it and hopefully understand more about the Vikings.

"I'm over the moon we have reached our target - this is such a large amount of money, but local businesses and people have been very generous."

The £50,000 will split between the firm Tarmac, which owns the land where the treasure was found, and the finder.

Tarmac said it would waive £5,000 of the money and wanted it to be spent on community projects.