£70,000 hoard of coins goes missing at dig

About 200 coins dating back to Victorian and Edwardian times were found during a metal detecting event at a site in Twinstead near Sudbury, Essex, on Sunday. The coins are valued at £350 each.

They are believed to have lain undiscovered for more than 90 years. But following a dig on Sunday, only two coins have been handed in. The whole area is thought to have been cleared of them.

Pc Andy Long, Essex Police’s heritage crime officer, said: “All the coins found on the site are protected by the Treasure Act.

“They are treasure trove and so have to be declared to the county coroner.”