A breathtaking hoard of ancient Roman bronze artifacts, described as the first of its kind in British history, has been unearthed by a pair of metal detector enthusiasts.

The 4th century hoard found by Pete Cresswell and his brother-in-law Andrew Boughton in Gloucestershire includes a sculpture of a "licking" dog never found before in the UK.

The licking dog is an example of a healing statue, and may be linked to a Roman healing temple at Lydney, near the Forest of Dean.

Experts said there was also the possibility that a previously undiscovered Roman temple may be sited elsewhere in the county.

The artefacts appear to have been deliberately broken and hidden - with the exception of the dog statue, which remains intact.

Archaeologists believe the items could have been stashed by a metal worker who intended to retrieve them at a later date in order to melt and re-cast them.