A GOLDEN arm band discovered in York has been saved for the city by the Yorkshire Museum.

The pure gold ring, weighing 750g, is only the third of its kind ever to be found in Britain and Ireland. It would have been owned by one of the richest and most powerful people in Viking York - then called Jorvik.

Experts say the find proves that Jorvik was "not just the home of tradesmen and a dirty, smelly place to be".

The band was discovered among the estate of a local builder two years ago and was declared treasure by a coroners' court.

The York Museum Trust, which runs the Yorkshire Museum, successfully applied for the £11,000 funding to buy the arm ring and it will go on display in the next few weeks.

Andrew Morrison, curator of archaeology at the museum, said: "This is only the second arm ring of this type to be found in England and for us to have it is exceptional.

"It is a stunning piece, and not only is it gold and Viking, but incredibly rare as well. We are delighted that we are able to keep it here in York where it was found."

The ornate bracelet is from the ninth or tenth century and is made of three strands of intertwined gold.

It would have been owned by only the most affluent members of Viking society and would have been worn on their arm to show their wealth.

Andrew said: "Viking warriors were often awarded silver bands for being successful in battle but a gold one was worn by the rich, most probably royalty.

"It was common for gold and silver rings to be chopped up and used as currency, which makes it even more special to find a complete one, though a little bent.

"One important point the arm ring illustrates is that York was not just the home of tradesman, and a dirty, smelly place to be, as is often the stereotypical image. These bands would have been worn by some of the richest and most powerful people in the country and they lived right here in York."

During the time the arm ring was made, England was divided up, with the North and Midlands, "Danelaw", under Viking control. York was the capital of this land. A similar band was found in Dublin, the Viking capital of Ireland.

But mystery still surrounds a third band found in Devon, which wasn't under Viking control.

The York band was bought by the York Museum Trust with funding from the Victoria And Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund and the Headley Trust.