A metal-detecting enthusiast says he has made two "significant" discoveries in fields near Winchester.

Jeremy DeMontfalcon, from Southampton, unearthed a small gold mount, which may have been attached to a gold brooch, dating to the middle Saxon period, and an oval bronze medieval seal.

It is thought that a high-ranking clergyman owned the seal because the imprint depicts the Virgin Mary shrouded in shafts of light and holding Jesus. Around the edges of the seal is a Latin inscription which has yet to be translated.

The engraved pattern of the mount is thought to be Danish but there was not enough gold in it for the coroner to declare it treasure.

The finds have been taken to Winchester City Museum. "I haven't had a chance to thoroughly examine Jeremy's finds yet but I think the seal is very important," said finds liaison officer, Sally Worrell.

Jeremy is a self-employed gardener who has been metal detecting since1976.

"Gardening and metal-detecting are my passions," he said. "I started off being interested in fossils. My parents bought me my metal detector to increase my interest and knowledge of the subject."

A year after he started out, Jeremy was lucky enough to find a hoard of gold sovereigns in Southampton, dating to 1773 and he has also found a caveman's axe.

Together with friend and artist, Alan Cracknell, Jeremy established the Hamwic Detection Society so the two friends could search for and collate their finds officially. Alan sketches all Jeremy's finds and he recently had an exhibition of work in the Guildhall.