Detectives are seeking the rightful owners of a collection of gold coins stashed near a castle.

A total of nine coins, estimated to be worth around £3,000, were found in an wooded area close to Allington Castle by a rambler in November last year.

The items were contained inside three small boxes and it is thought they may have been stolen. Because of the condition they were found in, it is believed they had been hidden for a long time.

The bullion coins were issued by the royal mint in 2004, 2005, and 2006 and are in varying weights ranging from gold contents of between 1/10 ounces to half and ounce each.

The largest ones are valued at around £600, the medium ones £300, and the smallest ones are worth roughly £120.

Most feature depictions of Britannia, a character symbolising Britain since the Second Century.

The archetypical image of Britannia sitting with a shield first appeared on Roman bronze coins of the First Century AD struck under emperor Hadrian while her first appearance on a British coins was on the farthing in 1672.

The coins issued in 2006 show the legendary image of Saint George dramatically slaying the dragon.

Since they were handed in, inquiries have been ongoing to establish who may own them but officers have now issued a pictures of the coins.

The distinctive items include the word Britannia on them and all appear to have been minted during the previous decade.

Detective Andy Julier, who was put in charge of the investigation after dealing with a number of burglaries in the Maidstone area, said he believed the coins had been stolen.

"We aren't disclosing all the information about how they were found because some details might help the legitimate owner prove the coins are theirs," he said.

"We believe it's from a burglary, there's no other logical explanation. You wouldn't just throw them away.

"The coins had clearly been there for quite some time, we don't know exactly how long but by the general look of them they have clearly been in the elements for a while."

If you have any information please call the west Kent appeals line on 01622 604100, quoting reference KP-20181119-0807.