THERE is still time to see a huge collection of artefacts unearthed by metal detector enthusiasts over the last four months.

Such has been the popularity of the exhibition at Rainford Library that it has been extended until the first week in February.

Ray Waring, chairman of Rainford Heritage Society, was one of those who braved the cold weather to tread through farmers’ fields with his metal detector.

He explained: “We have found lots of jewellery and even musket balls from the Civil War. We even found a medieval token. There are also coins from the Victorian and pre-Victorian era.

“There are also things used in everyday life like knives and forks with silver marks on them. I can read the marks and was able to identify the date from the 1800s. There is also a collection of ornate buttons.

“One of the most interesting finds was in a garden in Kings Moss. It was an ornate piece of silver with Russian markings on it. It seems to be from Moscow dated around 1900. While it may not be of huge value it is very interesting.”

Ray said that there are at least a two hundred items on display and they are constantly finding morenew pieces.

“People can’t believe we have found so much in such a short period of time. Only the other day I found a farthing from 1860, another musket ball and a large buckle.”

Rainford Heritage Society has a permanent public display at Inglenook Farm on the Rainford By-pass.

For more information, further information about the society email rayw@gmail.com.