EXCITING Roman finds were launched at the Corinium Museum in Cirencester last night, as part of an exclusive evening event.

Museum curator Amanda Hart said it was wonderful to see so many people for the launch event, all thrilled to be the first to see the rare Roman finds.

The discoveries featured the Tetbury Coin Hoard and the rare cockerel figurine found under the former Bridge's Garage site in Cirencester.

"This museum is located in the heart of a diverse and culturally rich landscape," said Amanda. "This little town and the Cotswold district keeps revealing remarkable finds."

Time Team star and Cotswold Archaeologist Neil Holbrook made a speech before the finds were revealed, while guests enjoyed wine and canapes.

"Archaeology is about discovery," he said. "You may think the process of archaeology is straight-forward but it rarely is. I'm pleased and delighted to see the cockerel now on display here in Cirencester."

Attending the evening's event at the museum included Earl Bathurst, president of the Cotswold Museums Charitable Trust Sir Edward Horsfall, and the man who actually pulled the rare Roman cockerel out of the ground, Jamie Wright.

The Roman enamelled cockerel figurine found on the former Bridges Garage site in 2011 - now St James' Place - is the only example in the world to survive with its tail in tact. The figurine is also one of eight which have been discovered all across the Roman world.

The Tetbury Coin Hoard was found by a farmer as he went metal detecting on his land. Hundreds of coins were found, with many being inside a burial urn.

The cockerel was gifted to the museum courtesy of Cotswold Archaeology while the Tetbury Coin Hoard was gifted anonymously by the couple whose land it was discovered on.

Both the coin hoard and the cockerel figurine are now on display at Corinium Museum.