AN ANCIENT ring hailed the 'find of a lifetime' when it was discovered in West Oxfordshire was sold for £10,000 yesterday.

The artefact was found in Bampton, near Witney, in 2016, and dates back to between the late 16th century and early 18th century.

The ring's elaborate coat of arms and crest is believed to represent the Skynner family, who were important in Bampton for hundreds of years from the 13th century.

It went under the hammer at Hanson's Auctioneers, Derbyshire, where it was originally expected to fetch between £12,000 and £15,000.