A KEEN gardener uncovered a buried treasure trove while digging in their garden.

Jan Long found the haul of about 150 coins dating as far back as the 18th century while planting a pink Susan Magnolia plant at her home in Bromsberrow Heath.

Mrs Long was using a fork to loosen soil and stones in the garden at Heath House when she struck something hard that she first believed to be a brick.

Closer inspection revealed it to be a clay pot, wrapped in a piece of black material, and containing an eclectic mix of old coins.

The haul includes a number of Victorian pennies, the oldest dated 1886, farthings, silver and bronze threepenny pieces, florins and shillings.

There was also an Austrian crown dated 1780, a King George crown dated 1935 and even an 1837 Canadian bank token.

Mrs Long has informed the police about the haul, but is hoping a Ledbury Reporter reader can help her shed some light on the find.

“I have found lots of things working in the garden here before, including jewellery, china, a shoe and Victorian bottles but this seems to have actually been buried,” she said. “Some of the coins are very dirty and corroded but some of them are in beautiful condition.

“I think perhaps we might now see if we can find a friend with a metal detector. We could start our own little museum with all the things we have dug up in the garden.”

Mrs Long believes the latest find may have been buried there since the 1960s, as the most recent coin is dated 1967.

She has traced the records of the house, and discovered it was owned in the 1960s by the Turner family.

“We are hoping that they might still have some relatives around the area who may be able to shed some light on this,” she said.

The clay pot containing the coins has the words “Produit hygienique Email blane sans plomb” and the number 55 stamped on the base.

Anyone who knows the origins of the treasure trove can call the Ledbury Reporter on 01905 742224.