ROMAN treasures unearthed near Winchester have been saved for the community with the help of a council grant.

The council's museums service has given more than £1,000 for three separate hoards of coins, found by a local metal detector enthusiast.

The hoards comprise seven silver siliquae, one gold aureus, 23 silver denarii and three late Iron Age gold staters found with six silver denarii.

The coins range in date from 113BC to AD37, some inscribed with the name Julius Caesar.

The 40 coins, valued at £2,540, were found by the late Kevan Halls, of Fareham.

They were reported by his widow to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, based at the museums service's headquarters at Hyde Historic Resources Centre.

An inquest declared them "treasure", which gave Winchester Museums the opportunity to acquire them.

The coins will eventually go on display.