A 3,000 year old ring found near Salisbury has been classed as treasure at a special inquest.

The ancient item of jewellery was discovered by Nick Booth in a field in Downton.

Made of solid gold, archaeologists said the Bronze Age penannular ring may have been created as far back as 1150BC.

Also being judge at the inquest were two other rings found in Wiltshire.

These were a Roman silver finger ring, found in Broughton Gifford, and a medieval two post silver gilt finger ring, which was discovered in Chiseldon.

The finds were all judged to be "treasure" by senior coroner David Ridley at the Salisbury Coroner's Court hearing on September 11.

This means, under the 1996 Treasure Act, that "the Crown" is formally regarded as the owner of the items, and not those that discovered it.

This is because the items are all more than 300 years old and contains in excess of 10% precious metal.

However, under discretion of the government, compensation may be paid to those who found it, as well as the landowner.