A hoard of 2,000-year-old silver Roman coins has been unearthed by three metal-detecting friends in Yorkshire.

Such a find would be thrilling enough, but it has also led to a further significant discovery - evidence of a high-status Roman settlement, to the excitement of archaeologists, The Telegraph can reveal.

The hoard was unearthed by Paul King, a semi-retired logistics manager, and his friends Robert Hamer and Robin Siddle.

Weather permitting, they go out most weekends, with a shared passion for learning about the past, rather than hunting for treasure.

Criss-crossing nine counties over many years, they have discovered various gems, including a medieval pilgrim’s badge, but nothing quite as significant as their Roman hoard of 18 silver coins.

Although they discovered it in 2015, it has been kept secret until now, to enable archaeologists to explore the site first.

Last week, two of the friends were working alongside archaeologists as yet more silver coins were uncovered, with hundreds of Roman pottery sherds and a tiny brooch, found on one of three neonatal burials.