A SILVER gilt medieval crucifix found on land near Yanworth in Gloucestershire has been declared treasure by a coroner.

The artefact was found by Matthew Webb from Berkshire in June last year and now becomes the property of the Crown.

But the finder and the owner of the land will receive its value when it has been assessed.

Gloucestershire coroner Alan Crickmore heard that the crucifix, which features Christ on the cross flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist, bears the Latin inscription 'Isus Nazarus Rex Iudorum,' which means Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.

On the reverse is a depiction of St Christopher holding the infant Jesus, but it is very worn through much handling by its original owner, who almost certainly wore it as a pendant, the Gloucester inquest heard.

The 5cm high crucifix was dated by expert James Robinson, curator of medieval collections at the British Museum.

To be declared a treasure of the crown an item must be more than 300 years old and be made of at least ten per cent gold or silver.

The coroner declared it to be treasure, meaning it will now be offered to a local museum which will have to pay its value to the finder and landowner.