A PONTYPOOL man has donated a rare and priceless 1st Century AD Roman brooch to Pontypool museum as part of a new exhibition later this year.

Wayne Jones found the broach in 2011 when metal detecting the land around Lambrook farm, Goetre Fawr in Monmouthshire with his father Lloyd.

Mr Jones, 47, said: “I have been metal detecting for over ten years but have never found anything like this.

"The land by the farm looks quite old and we found it six inches below ground in a little bit of a slope.

“When we got home, we read about it on the internet and it was exciting to learn about its history."

The National Museum of Wales confirmed the originality of the find last December.

The Roman copper alloy bow brooch is of the Polden Hill type and would have been decorated with colour over a person’s tunic.

Deborah Wildgust, Pontypool museum curator, said: “We have two other Roman pieces from the 2nd century found in Torfaen but this will be the highlight of our exhibition, likely to start next month.

“It is a rare find and we are privileged to show it at our young museum.”

Mr Jones added: "Hopefully it will interest new generations by being on display.”