A WHITEHAVEN museum is inviting people to bring any intriguing items they have discovered to be examined by an expert this Tuesday (July, 23). 

Attendees are encouraged to bring in any potentially historic items they have unearthed from their gardens, beaches, or parks to the Beacon Museum.  

The 'Finds Day' event will be held at The Beacon Portal on the ground floor from 12pm to 2pm. 

In a recent social media post, The Beacon Museum shared: "Have you found anything historic in your garden, on the beach, or in the park?

"Would you like to find out more? Bring it along to The Beacon Portal on July 23 and meet our local finds liaison officer Alex Whitlock."

It comes as the number of treasure finds in England and Wales has hit a record high, as more people take up metal detecting.

Annual coroners’ statistics from the Ministry of Justice show 18 treasure discoveries were reported in Cumbria in 2023 – up from five the year before.

The definition of treasure was updated in July last year.

Previously, newly discovered artefacts were classified as treasure if they are more than 300 years old and made of precious metal or part of a collection of valuable objects or artefacts.

Under the new criteria, most exceptional finds over 200 years old will be classed as treasure, so long as they provide an important insight into the country’s heritage.

Treasure finds in Cumbria include a silver bell from the post-Medieval period in Ousby, a post-Medieval coin hoard found in St Bees and three ancient bronze axe heads found in a field in Millom.