A RECORD number of buried treasure troves were unearthed in Cumbria in 2019, figures reveal.

In total 25 discoveries were found over the year by fortune hunters and metal detectorists.

It is largest haul since the British Museum and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport began collecting records in 2012.

Over the eight-year period, 95 finds were reported in Cumbria.

The treasure trove record has been welcomed by Dalton metal detectorist Graeme Rushton.

He said: “It is extremely positive. It shows metal detectorists in a good light by doing the right thing recording their finds in the correct manner. It also shows that they’re uncovering and saving history, whereas these objects would probably be lost forever or destroyed by modern agricultural techniques and new builds. It is crucial that these metal detectorists are saving these objects and bringing them back to life.”

Mr Rushton, who once found a rare coin depicting King Stephen alongside his wife Matilda, believes Facebook and Twitter’s influence has increased metal detecting’s appeal.

The 51-year-old explained: “I think its becoming popular due to social media, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a pastime and a hobby and everybody should be able to participate as long as they do it in the correct manner. Things have changed significantly with technology coming on in leaps and bounds since the 1960’s and 1970’s.”

In 2019-20, a survey of 1,058 adults in the North West found 0.9 per cent had taken part in metal detecting at least once in the previous year.

A record 1,311 treasure troves were reported across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2019 – 48 of which came from the North West.

Metal detecting devices tracked down 96 per cent of finds in 2018, the most recent year with details on how the objects were discovered.