METAL detectorists from Furness are set to take part in a five-part series on metal detecting that is set to hit screen on ITV very soon.

Unearthed UK detectorist Graeme Rushton - who took part in the pilot show - said there is no confirmed date for the show yet but promises it will be "a big hit with British audiences".

Although the keen detectorist from Dalton did not find actual gold, the Roman coins him and teammate Adrian Harris found from around 260 AD was enough to see him triumph over the other four teams competing in the initial pilot episode of 'Henry Cole's Great British Treasure Hunt', broadcast on ITV4 back in December 2020.

Mr Rushton, of Unearthed UK in Dalton, said that the show has been approved for a five-part series running over the course of a week.

It is due to air at the end of January or the beginning of February.

"It was a hit with ITV higher ups and has been given the go ahead for a five-episode series which is great," he said.

"We are well represented in the show as well as we will have four people out of eight coming from Cumbria, including myself."

This was the best bit of news for Mr Rushton as he has found success in recent months detecting in the county with many Bronze Age finds. He believes Cumbria is a 'lost county' when it comes to archaeology and digs.

Mr Rushton said he was 'over the moon' with their 'academically important' finds which were valued at £50 and will be hoping for more success in the series released later this year.

In 2020, the show was dubbed as 'the Antiques Road Trip meets the Detectorist' by the Radio Times.

Mr Rushton said it was tough with all the cameras.

"I think that we showed the hobby in a really positive light and proved it isn't all about finding gold and silver all the time," he said.

In the pilot show they visited Sudeley Castle, a Grade I listed castle located in the Cotswolds, near to the medieval market town of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire.

This was the first time metal detectorists were allowed in to scour the gardens, which cover 15 acres within a 1,200 acre estate nestled within the Cotswold hills.