JUST before Christmas the Yorkshire Museum announced that it had raised enough money to keep the first items of Iron-Age gold jewellery ever found in the north of England.

Now the museum has launched another appeal to save a nationally important hoard of Viking gold and silver, which was found by a metal detectorist in Bedale.

Some might say it’s a waste of money, but this collection is singular with items unlike anything yet found and it would be a shame to lose them.

Perhaps it’s an occupational hazard to live in a part of England so rich in history, but we think every effort should be made to keep North Yorkshire’s treasures in North Yorkshire.

The last appeal was a testimony to people’s generosity. Let’s hope this one will be just as successful.