Devizes metal detector enthusiast Dave Crisp says he is delighted that the hoard of Roman coins he found are now on public display.

Mr Crisp, 65, found more than 52,000 coins in a field in Frome in April last year. The hoard is one of Britain’s biggest of Roman coins and they date back to 3 AD.

The silver and copper alloy coins went on display at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton today.

Money was raised by the museum and grants were given to enable the hoard to be kept in public ownership.

Mr Crisp, who is secretary of the Trowbridge Metal Detecting Club, said: “It’s great to see them on display for people to see. I’m really proud that I found them and they have come back to Somerset.”

Stephen Minnitt, Somerset County Council’s head of museums, said it was a coup for the museum to obtain the “highly important find.”