A LATE bronze-age pocketed axe fragment and incomplete casting jet have been discovered on the Isle of Wight.

The historic finds, dating from somewhere between 1000 and 800BC, were declared treasure at a treasure inquest, held at the Isle of Wight Coroner's Court on Monday, October 18.

Lewis Ferrero, finds liaison officer with the British Museum, appeared before the coroner to present the discovery on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council.

The 1996 Treasure Act requires people who discover artefacts made of precious materials to declare them — and allow a museum to make an offer for the item before it can be sold.

The axe-head fragment, from a socketed axe-head, was described as part of an axe-head hollow on one end, so a piece of wood could be inserted.

The court heard the casting jet was waste metal formed when molten metal is poured into a mould, and both objects were made of copper alloy.

They were found in Calbourne by Mr White, on land owned by Ms Chapman, the court was told, on August 28, 2019.

Coroner Caroline Sumeray thanked Mr White for obeying the law and declaring his discovery.