A VIDEO showing the excitement of discovering one of Britain's biggest archaeological finds has been put on the internet.

Staffordshire County Council's archaeological experts have played a major part in discovering the Staffordshire Hoard – co-ordinating the dig and working with finder Terry Herbert, of Burntwood, the landowner and national experts.

The artefacts, uncovered by a metal detector in a south Staffordshire field, are expected to be valued at millions of pounds.

But the historical worth of the treasure is expected to be far greater as historians anticipate it will provide a fascinating insight into life in Saxon England.

The story of the find and a flavour of the euphoria it has generated have been captured on film.

Councillor Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council leader, said: "Staffordshire really is on the international map as a golden county, a place where the truly astounding can happen. This find puts us in the spotlight as a place at the centre of historical change.

"For the archaeological team, this has been an amazing couple of months, as we have worked to protect this treasure, working with the best in the business at a national and international level."