A medieval gold and sapphire ring – unearthed by a metal detectorist in the county – has sold for £11,000 at auction.

The ring – which includes an engraving which has baffled experts – is thought to date back to between the 12th and 14th centuries.

It is believed to have been found near Maidstone – but the exact location has been kept secret to prevent treasure hunters descending on the site.

It went under the hammer at Canterbury Auction Galleries after being declared a “treasure trove” by the British Museum.

It released the ring under its Portable Antiquities Scheme – which records finds of historical interest.

If of particular note or significance, items can be put on display at the museum. But this has been passed back to the finder who was able to legitimately sell it.

When the hammer finally fell, it had far exceeded the guide price of between £6,000-8,000.

Also selling for thousands of pounds was a feathery golf ball with links to the creator of James Bond.

The Tom Morris ball was the property of Cyril Whiting – who died in 2020 – a club professional at Royal St George's Golf Club, Sandwich and a regular golfing partner of Ian Fleming, who created 007, as was his father Albert. The author immortalised them both - as Cecil and Alfred Blacking - in Bond's famous match against Goldfinger, at 'Royal St Mark's'. The precious ball itself pre-dated the film, probably dating from the 1800s.

It sold for £3,000 and was purchase by a buyer from the US.