FOUR men have appeared in court for dealing in tainted cultural objects found near Leominster.

George Powell, 37, of Coulson Close, Pill, Newport; Layton Davies, 50, of Cardiff Road, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan; Paul Wells, 59, of Newport Road, Rummney, Cardiff and Simon Wicks, 56, of Hawks Road, Hailsham, East Sussex appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on October 31.

A collection of Anglo-Saxon and Viking crown treasure artefacts were found north of Leominster in 2015.

Metal detectorists discovered the artefacts, which included gold and silver coins, a gold ring, a gold arm bracelet and a crystal sphere and silver ingots.

It is the legal responsibility of the finder of any precious metal objects that are over 300 years old to report them to the local coroner as soon as possible.

The case has been referred to Crown Court.

The investigation included archaeological authorities and experts from the British Museum.