A treasure hunter struck gold in a muddy Hertfordshire field. He found a stash of Roman coins in the field near St Albans. They have just gone on public display.
While the rest of us can now appreciate them for their historical and aesthetic value, the man who discovered them will soon be enjoying their financial value, sharing in thousands and thousands of pounds.
Ria Chatterjee has our report.
A collection of 159 Roman gold coins has been found in St Albans in Hertfordshire.
It was found on private land just north of St Albans, and is believed to be one of the largest hoards of coins ever discovered in the UK.
The coins, which are called 'solidus', are thought to date back to the very end of Roman rule in Britain.
The local council says that the coins are in a good condition, and were scattered across a fairly wide area. They are believed to be very rare.
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Since London Tonight filmed in St Albans this afternoon Mr Gribbin was contacted by St Albans Council who said that the restrictions would be lifted.
The letter from St Albans Council says:
– St Albans City & District Council."The Cemetery Information & Regulations state that a garden area not exceeding 3' wide and 1' deep is allowed in f ront of the headstone. In the recent past this rule has not been enforced and many people now have more of the grave personalised in a variety of ways. We understand why people wish to have a larger area and we have carried out an exercise to measure all of the areas which exceed 1' and feel if we now put a limit of 4' 6" on graves in section B, the majority of graves will be able to remain unchanged but still allow the cemetery to be maintained to the high standards expected."
Bereaved families in St Albans have received a letter from the council warning them not to exceed new limits on where to place flowers on graves.
The letter says any grave at London Road Cemetery which has been there for more than a year should not have tributes outside an area of one foot, by four foot six.
Residents say that there have been no problems with burial sites, and many are upset about having to reorganise the graves of loved ones.
A man from Watford has been found guilty at St Albans Crown Court of the murder of St Albans man, Murray Thompson.
It took eleven jurors two days to deliberate on their verdicts after a seven-week long trial.
The jury was taken through a two-year investigation that had amassed over 600 written statements, over 1700 exhibits and involved 90 police officers and staff.
Murray, aged 34, was last seen at a property in St Albans Road in Watford on 20 April 2010.
James Evans, aged 24, of Bushey Mill Lane in Watford, was found guilty of Murray’s murder, perverting the course of justice, preventing a lawful burial and conspiracy to produce cannabis.
Police are appealing for witnesses following an alleged robbery in St Albans city centre in the early hours of Tuesday 11th September.
The victim, a 24-year-old man from St Albans, was walking along St Peters Street between 1am and 1.30am when two males asked him for the time.
The offenders then followed him for a short while before allegedly pushing him into a bush between the Grange Street and Chime Square turnings and spraying him with what appeared to be pepper spray.
It is believed they then took his mobile phone and wallet. The offenders then made off up Hall Place Gardens. The victim suffered slight injuries. The offenders are described as two white males, of slim build, aged between 14 and 18 years old and spoke with local accents.
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Police investigating the theft of a charity box in St Albans have issued a photo of two people they would like to speak to in connection with the offence.
The offender used a knife to cut the string that was securing the box to the counter in Reddies on Catherine Street at 2.40pm on 28th August.
The box was then removed by the offender who left the shop and made off in an unknown direction.
Police believe the two people pictured may have seen the incident or be able to help police with their enquiries.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference F1/12/2772. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing a vulnerable person who went missing on Wednesday 5th September in St Albans.
Paul Mclean, 31, was last seen at Albany Lodge in Church Crescent at 8pm on the night in question.
He is described as a white male, who is 5ft 5in tall, has shaven mousy brown hair, some facial hair and blue eyes.
When he was last seen he was wearing a black t-shirt, black hooded jacket, khaki brown combat trousers and black boots.
Police request that members of the public do not approach Mr McLean but instead contact police immediately by calling 101 if they believe they have seen him.