The most important haul of Viking treasure to be discovered in Britain since the 19th century was unveiled by the British Museum yesterday.

Discovered earlier this year by a father and son detecting team near Harrogate in northern England, the find includes coins, ornaments, ingots and precious metal objects all hidden in a gilt silver bowl and buried in a lead chest. ?The size and quality of the hoard is remarkable, making it the most important find of its type in Britain for over 150 years,? the museum said.

?The find is of global importance, as well as having huge significance for the history of North Yorkshire,? it added.

Vikings, sailor-warriors from modern day Norway and Denmark, began raiding the undefended coast of ancient Britain at the end of the eighth century AD. Less than 100 years later they had settled in large parts of the country ? particularly the north where many modern day place names still bear witness to their enduring impact.

The largest Viking hoard discovered in western Europe was found in 1840 at Cuerdale in the English county of Lancashire.