Fewer treasure finds were reported in Cumbria last year, a reduction of over 20 per cent.

Provisional data from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport shows 1,358 treasure finds were reported in England and Wales in 2023, down slightly from 1,367 the previous year but the second-highest figure since records began in 1996.

Last year was also the tenth in a row where treasure discoveries across the two countries exceeded 1,000.

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In Cumbria, 18 treasure finds were reported in 2023, down from 23 the year before.

The East of England saw the most treasure discoveries reported last year, with 304 finds reported, representing 22 per cent of total discoveries.

Across the Northwest, 58 treasure finds were recorded last year.

Keith Westcott, CEO and founder of the Detectorists Institute and Foundation, said the significant number of treasure finds reported last year highlights the "critical importance" of ensuring artefacts are retrieved in a sustainable way and that their heritage is preserved.

The definition of treasure was updated in July last year.

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

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

There has been one find which has met the new definition, a ninth-century penny of Aethelstan II.

The coin was declared treasure by the coroner in September 2023.