THE reporting rate for treasure finds has increased 15-fold in Lancashire since the appointment of a new finds liaison officer last December, it has been revealed.

Since September 1997, when the Treasure Act became law, eight cases of treasure have been reported in Lancashire - three of which were reported in the last four months, while Faye Simpson has been in the post.

The latest find was a medieval silver brooch found by someone metal detecting near Garstang.

Stephen Bull, from Lancashire County Council said : "It is important that people come forward with all archaeological items, not just treasure, found in Lancashire so they can add to our archaeological knowledge of the past."