A rare Anglo Saxon gold ring unearthed by a builder in the back garden of a house in Abingdon is to go on display at Oxfordshire museums.

Nigel Himpson, from Bradstocks Way, Sutton Courtenay, was helping his friend Terry Woodward from Golafre Road, Abingdon, build a patio when he discovered what he thought was a cuff-link.

However, research showed the find was far more valuable, and Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Gardiner certified the ring as "treasure" under the 1996 Treasure Act.

Curators say it is possibly one of the finest objects dating from the seventh century ever to be found in Oxfordshire. It was valued at £3,750 but Mr Himpson disputed the valuation and the ring was cared for by the British Museum in London while fresh assessments were made by experts.

The ring will go on display at the Abingdon Museum and later at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock.

Mr Himpson, 42, said he had an independent expert look at the ring and he valued it at £10,000, but British Museum valuers put it at £4,000. He said: "I am not happy at the valuation but it would have cost me a lot of money to have gone to a judicial review in court. I am pleased, though, it will be going to Abingdon Museum."

Mr Himpson received £3,000 of the £4,000, while Mr Woodward, 48, received £1,000.

He said: "I think the whole evaluation system is unfair. The ring was worth more than £4,000 but it would have cost us a lot of money to appeal in court."

The ring will go on show at Abingdon Museum from September 10-16.