METAL detectorists from across Furness are set to take part in a brand-new five-part series on metal detecting that is set to hit screen on ITV next month.

Unearthed UK detectorist Graeme Rushton - who took part in the pilot show - promises it will be "a big hit with British audiences".

Although the keen detectorist from Dalton did not find actual gold, the Roman coins him and teammate Adrian Harris found from around 260 AD was enough to see him triumph over the other four teams competing in the initial pilot episode of 'Henry Cole's Great British Treasure Hunt', broadcast on ITV4 back in December 2020.

Episode one of Henry Cole's Great British Treasure Hunt will air on ITV4 at 9pm on March 7, then daily until Friday, March 11.

"It was a hit with ITV higher ups and has been given the go ahead for a five-episode series which is great," Mr Rushton said previously.

"We are well represented in the show as well as we will have four people out of eight coming from Cumbria, including myself."

Their finds will be assessed and scored by expert judges. Archaeologist Dr Susheela Burford (the show’s Finds Liaison Officer) will evaluate the historical interest and significance of each item, then award a number of points, from five for the most interesting, down to one for the least.

To add some extra excitement, auctioneer and independent valuer Adam Partridge then takes a look and hands out a bonus point for the find with the highest monetary value.

Scores accumulate across the five episodes, shown over successive evenings from Monday to Friday, and whichever duo has the highest at the end of the week wins the prestigious GBTH trophy.

In 2020, the show was dubbed as 'the Antiques Road Trip meets the Detectorist' by the Radio Times.

Mr Rushton said it was tough with all the cameras.

"I think that we showed the hobby in a really positive light and proved it isn't all about finding gold and silver all the time," he said.

Presenter Henry Cole and the detectorists start their search at Ardington House in Oxfordshire before heading off around the country to other locations for each following episode.