A 17th century ring found by a metal detectorist in Hesket has been formally classified as treasure, a coroner has declared.

A 'complete bright gold posy ring' was found by Shirley Teasdale while metal detecting in the area.

Assistant Coroner for Cumbria, Ms Margaret Taylor, was supplied with a curator's report that described the ring and its significance.

It said: "The outside is plain while inside is engraved in English with lower-case italic script, 'Virtue makes love eternal J'.

"The J is likely to be an initial of one of the parties rather than a makers mark.

"Posy rings were used as love tokens with the inscription remaining a secret to all but the wearer.

READ MORE: Coins found in Cumbria which date back to 10th century declared as treasure

"Italic lettering of this type generally replaced roman capitals in the second quarter of the 17th century and was ubiquitous for the last 17th century and 18th century rings."

The ring is 13 millimetres in diameter and weighs 0.9 grams.

As the ring is 'probably more than 300 years old', and over ten percent precious metal, it meets the legal requirement to be classed as Treasure under the Treasure Act 1996.

The Tullie House Museum in Carlisle has expressed an interest in acquiring the ring.