The amateur detectorist who found a C14th silver ring and a Scandinavian strap end which were declared treasure trove at an inquest last week, has been hunting for treasure for less than five years.

Mr George Borrill, a former manager of railway engine drivers who is now retired, said: "My son introduced me to treasure hunting. I went out with him and I caught the bug. I bought a metal detector set off on my own and I've never looked back."

He discovered the ring in a field at Henryd, which, according to Dr Mark Redknap, head of collections and research at the National Museum of Wales, dates from the 14th century.

Dr Redknap said the museum was interested in acquiring it and the Scandinavian strap end .

Mr Borrill said: "I've developed an interest in history thanks to searching for treasure before history was just history. But after finding something that is 2,000 or 3,000 old I discovered it has a tremendous buzz and I wanted to find out more about what was happening then, so I started doing research.

"I once found a bronze aged spearhead which I think had either been used on animals or people, what history that could tell if it could speak. I've also found a lead amphora, which I think a pilgrim would have carried holy water in, found Roman coins and brooches and all sorts of items.

"The Viking piece I discovered, which went to the Inquest, was the end of a belt which had probably been altered to make an arm band. It was odd, it came from the same field where I found the bronze aged spearhead, the two items were only about six feet away from each other, yet there was nothing else in the field.

"I always ask land owner where I want to search for permission. If an item is declared treasure trove it will be kept by the Crown and valued independently. Half the value goes to the land owner and half to the finder.

"Sometimes I find nothing, sometimes just tin cans and sometimes it is something either valuable or of historical interest.