LIVERPOOL.- The Museum of Liverpool and Congleton Museum have received £65,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project that will help to acquire two locally-discovered hoards of Roman treasure.

The Hoards of Cheshire project includes objects found by metal detectorists in Knutsford and Malpas which were reported to archaeologists through the Portable Antiquities Scheme, funded by the British Museum, and declared ‘Treasure’. Following their cleaning and cataloguing at the British Museum, they will return to the North West for display.

The Knutsford hoard contains three gilt brooches, two finger rings and over a hundred coins; the Malpas hoard incorporates Iron Age and Roman coins.

The Hoards of Cheshire project will also enable local young people to work with archaeologists and museum curators to learn about the region’s Romano-British period. The outcome of which will feature in an exhibition opening at the Museum of Liverpool later this year, followed by a run at Congleton Museum.

Janet Dugdale, Director of the Museum of Liverpool said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for this exciting project to bring these important archaeological finds back to the region. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Congleton Museum to ensure that these two fascinating collections will be retained in the North West for future generations to enjoy.”

Ian Doughty, Collections Manager at Congleton Museum said: “The hoards tell the story of the early history of the region, and point to links between the Cheshire salt fields and the coastal trading centres in and around Merseyside. We’re delighted that with Heritage Lottery Fund support, visitors to our museums can learn more about the region’s history.”

Liz Stewart, Curator of Archaeology at the Museum of Liverpool said: “We’re pleased that through the Cheshire Hoards project we can offer young people valuable experience working alongside archaeologists to interpret the finds and make a real contribution to the creation of the exhibition.”

Sara Hilton, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, North West said: “These important finds hoards will reveal previously hidden clues as to the way our ancestors lived and how the community around here developed into what it is today. By delving into this history, volunteers will not only expand their knowledge and learn lots of new skills, but it will also provide a unique record of the area for others to learn, enjoy and be inspired by.”