An exhibition of Viking treasure has gone on display in Whitehaven.

The Beacon museum formally opened its Norse Hoard exhibit on Saturday, with a launch event involving those who made the "find of a lifetime" in a field three years ago.

Enthusiasts Justin Bell and Daniel Boakes unearthed the hoard of 20 silver artefacts – 16 trading ingots and four rings – in a field in Beckermet.

All of the items were verified as being of Norse origin, and evidence suggests that they could have been brought to Cumbria from as far away as Russia. The hoard was given "treasure" status in 2015.

The men launched the exhibition on Saturday with a talk and a metal-detecting class. A week-long series of Viking activities was held in the build-up to the launch.

Mr Bell said: "It's the second Viking hoard that has been found in here and it’s about piecing together the bits of history.

"I want people to know about it and the fact The Beacon has bought the hoard means that my children and grandchildren can go down there in years to come and say ‘Dad and Granddad found that’, and to me that is worth so much more than any money."

Elizabeth Kwasnik, museum director, added: "We are delighted to have the Norse hoard back as a key part of Copeland’s historic collection here in The Beacon.

"The artefacts invoke many stories of a time in Cumbria's ancient past that is often overlooked, and we are giving our community a focal point to understand a bit more about those Scandinavian people who settled in this area and became part of our ancestry."