A WEST Somerset club for metal detectorists has celebrated its first anniversary.

Minehead Area Detectorists hold an informal monthly meeting at which the club’s 28 members show, discuss or identify finds and share information.

The club (MAD) was founded by Ian Long, who is its chairman: “I wanted to join a metal detecting club and West Somerset didn’t have one – so I decided I had to start one!” he said.

Somerset Museum’s finds liaison officers Laura Burnett and Will Partridge visit the club every other month to record and identify any finds which qualify for inclusion in the Portable Antiquities Scheme UK database.

And club officials arrange a monthly dig by permission of West Somerset landowners.

Before attending digs, club members must join the National Council for Metal Detectorists and abide by their Code of Practice at all times.

Over the last year, MAD members have rescued some historically significant and interesting coins and artefacts from the soil (pictured). Finds include:

* A Bronze Age axe head.

* A hoard of Roman coins.

* A Saxon brooch or buckle and gilded Saxon strap end.

* Silver hammered medieval coins and buckles.

* A letter head printing plate depicting a railway scene.

* An eight inch solid silver 1688 tablespoon crafted by Samuel Dell of Taunton.

* And rings, brooches and hollow cast lead toys.

Members vote each month for coin and artefact of the month, with a shield for each given annually to the member who has achieved the most monthly votes.

Photos of the AGM prize-giving were recently included in Treasure Hunting magazine, together with a feature on a ninth century zoomorphic buckle found by club member Richard Tarr.

Existing detectorists as well as anyone interested in finding out about metal detecting would be welcome to attend the meeting on October 5 at 7pm at Minehead’s Hobby Horse Inn.