A silver-gilded knob dating back to the late 6th or early 7th century has been declared as treasure at a Norwich inquest.

A silver-gilded knob dating back to the late 6th or early 7th century has been declared as treasure at a Norwich inquest.

The knob has a cast animal head and was found by metal detector enthusiast Vincent Butler on land belonging to the Diocese of Norwich in Fransham, between Swaffham and Dereham, on October 1, 2007, but the inquest was delayed for two years for various reasons.

Greater Norfolk Coroner William Armstrong said at yesterday's Norwich inquest that the finder had permission to be detecting on the land.

Mr Armstrong said: "A spokeswoman for the British Museum said the silver-gilded knob with a simple cast animal motif dated to the late 6th or early 7th century."

He recorded a treasure verdict and said that Norwich Castle Museum had expressed an interest in acquiring the item. The knob is 10mm long, 12mm wide and 4.5mm deep.