The gold torc is now at the British Museum

Maurice Richardson, 55, of Newark, Notts, found the solid gold torc in a ploughed field on a farm near his home.

The self-employed tree surgeon thought he had found a piece of scrap metal when he came across the twisted necklace, weighing 1.5lb.

It has now been placed with the British Museum, where it will be properly examined and valued.

A coroner, who is expected to open a treasure trove inquest into the find, said it could be worth more than �100,000.

Maurice Richardson had found nothing of great worth in 30 years

Mr Richardson, who has been metal detecting for more than 30 years, has never found anything worth more than �100.

He said after the find: "I got down on my stomach and scraped away with my hands and a glint of gold came into view.

"It took me another half an hour to get it out of the ground because I was so nervous.

"It came out as though I had bought it from the shop yesterday.