In total, 42 discoveries were made in the county, according to data from the British Museum and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport - the country's 10th-biggest haul. 

191 treasure finds were reported across the South West.

Since records began in 2012, 320 finds have been reported in the county. 

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 1,077 treasure finds were recorded in 2020 - and that figure has now topped 1,000 for the seventh year in a row.

The British Museum said restrictions on exercise during coronavirus lockdowns last year contributed to a boost in unexpected garden discoveries. 

The museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme recorded more than 6,000 archaeological object finds – which could include a single object or a hoard of coins – during the first lockdown alone, when hunting with a metal detector outside the home was banned.

Former culture minister Caroline Dinenage said it was "brilliant" to see the scheme grow from strength to strength during lockdown thanks to garden finds and digital reporting.

Anyone who thinks they have struck a hidden hoard has to tell the coroner within two weeks, so they can hold an inquest to decide whether it constitutes treasure and who will receive the items.

If they don't, they face an unlimited fine or up to three months behind bars.

Local and national museums are given the chance to purchase any pieces a coroner rules as treasure, but the finder doesn't leave empty-handed – they will be paid a sum depending on the haul's value.

Treasure is currently defined by the Treasure Act as finds older than 300 years made of gold or silver, or artefacts made of precious metals.

The Government announced in December 2020 that a new definition would be introduced to protect treasure from being lost to the public.

It would see artefacts also defined as treasure if they are "of historical or cultural significance".

Metal detecting is the best way to unearth lost treasure, according to the figures.

The devices tracked down 96 per cent of finds in 2019, the latest year with details on how the objects were discovered.

A further 3 per cent – 36 cases – were archaeological finds, and 10 were from field walking or scouring streams and shores.

Police recovered one treasure trove from a "nighthawker" – an illegal treasure hunter.

Have you found any treasure in Somerset? Let us know...