A LATE-medieval ring found near Abridge has been declared treasure trove.

The iconographic ring, found near the village in May 2002, was identified as treasure by Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray at an inquest in Epping.

The Epping Forest District Museum was notified of the artefact at the time of the find and district museum officer Tony O'Connor identified it as a late 15th or early 16th century iconographic gold ring.

The ring is 22mm in diameter and weighs 7.2g and would have had a devotional use.

It features five decorative surfaces illustrating Christ's passion, including engravings of the sacred heart, and the cross, hammer and nails.

Mr O'Connor said: "What's really important with these finds is that they give more of an insight into life around the district in the medieval period.

"It shows how important religion was in everyday life in the period after the Black Death.

"It's a talisman that people would have used to protect themselves and bring divine intervention into their lives.

"In this period of history it would have belonged to a lay person, somebody who would have had a fairly high standing in society, a wealthy merchant or a member of the nobility. It's a nice piece and would have had a reasonable financial cost to it."

The item is now at the British Museum where it will remain until the Department for Culture Media and Sport has had it valued.

On valuation, the ring will either be bought from the finder by the museum, or remain in the possession of the finder if funds cannot be raised.