A solid gold ring recently unearthed by a metal detectorist will be on show to the public this weekend.

Medway History Finders are staging a three-day rally as they search 500 acres of farmland on the Isle of Sheppey.

They have already descended on land on the Lower Road at Eastchurch owned by farmer Stephen Attwood.

The site will be open to the public to watch the activities and view discoveries from 10am on tomorrow and Sunday.

Spokesman Andrew Hunter said: "We are very excited. This land, which stretches to Eastchurch church, has never been searched before as far as we know.

"We are expecting to uncover artefacts from the Viking, Roman and Anglo-Saxon eras."

The 26g gold ring, believed to have been lost by a bishop in the reign of Henry Vlll or earlier, was found by Ashley Solly during a pre-rally sweep of the area and is to be handed over to the British Museum at the weekend.

More than 400 detectorists have paid to attend the rally.

The hobby has been boosted following the hit BBC TV comedy series Detectorists starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones.

Mackenzie was born in Maidstone in 1971 and brought up in the village of Sutton-at-Hone near Dartford.

After leaving Wilmington Grammar School for Boys he found himself working at the local Pizza Hut.

Determined to make it into acting, Mackenzie entered stand-up comedy, using various characters such as Charlie Cheese and the teacher Mr Bagshaw before finding fame on TV as Gareth in The Office.

He has also starred in the Pirates of the Caribbean series of films.

Members of the public will not be allowed to join in the search but can watch.

There will be a car park on the site which is part of New Hook Farm.

Look for signs or enter ME12 3SU on your satnav.

Read more: All the latest news from the Isle of Sheppey