Plea for Iron Age bracelets to remain in the public realm

The 2,000-year-old bracelet, or torc, was found near Towton by metal detectorists Andrew Green and Shaun Scott in May 2010.

A second solid gold bracelet was found close by a year later, and the Yorkshire Museum in York launched an appeal in November to raise cash to keep both torcs.

But time is running out to make sure the first piece of jewellery stays in Yorkshire.

While £1,000 has been raised so far, more than £24,000 is needed by the end of January to stop the bracelet going up for auction when it could be bought by a private collector.

The assistant curator of archaeology, Natalie McCaul, said: “If we fail to raise the money it may sold anywhere in the world, to the highest bidder. It would mean the public may never see it again and we would lose the chance to hand it over the experts to see if they can reveal some of its secrets.”

Both torcs are on show temporarily until January 31. The second torc could be worth £35,000, and funds will again need to be raised before a deadline later this year to keep it.

Donations can be made at the museum or online at www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk.