A hoard of Roman coins dating back to the 3rd Century has gone on public display for the first time.

Metal detector enthusiasts unearthed 1,608 coins in a field in Boldre, near Lymington in Hampshire, in 2014.

They are being displayed at the town's recently renovated St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, which raised £30,000 to stop the collection from being split up.

Some experts had wanted some of coins to be kept at London's British Museum.

Crowds gathered to see the unveiling of the treasure when the museum reopened on Saturday following an upgrade paid for with a £1.78m Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

BBC presenter Dan Snow had backed the appeal to make the coins a "centrepiece" at the museum.

Metal detectorist James Petts, who discovered the so-called Boldre Hoard, said: "It's the icing on the cake if you're a detectorist. It's what we all dream of and want to find.

"It's been a great experience. I'm glad it is all preserved for future generations."

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Roman Boldre Hoard goes on display at St Barbe Museum(http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-40768334)