A ROMAN mosaic has been uncovered by two metal detector enthusiasts in a Cotswold field.

John Carter and Paul Ballinger say their find could be of national significance.

The amateur sleuths spotted tesserae – cube-shaped mosaic tiles – and a metal spear at a ploughed field near Kemble.

They dug to expose what they think is part of an intricate mosaic floor which could be on a par with the fourth century Great Orpheus Pavement at Woodchester, near Stroud.

John, 52, who lives at Brockworth, and Paul, from North Cerney, are thrilled.

John said: "We couldn't believe what we'd found – it was extraordinary.

"We're keen metal detectorists and field walkers and we'd been on this farm two years ago. I'd noticed some pottery and building materials on a bank in a field but the farmer said it was going to have trees planted on it.

"So we never went back, until now. We got there and the field had been heavily ploughed. All of a sudden I said 'Look at that' and there was a little line of tesserae.

"I said 'There must be a floor down there' and then in among the tesserae was an iron spear about six to eight inches long.

"I went 'crikey' so we dug down gently about 15in and there in the bottom of the hole was a mosaic floor. We brushed it with our fingers then took some of little blocks home to wash and found they were grey, white and red.

"I knew it was a quality floor."

The duo returned to expose one metre square of the site, the exact location of which is strictly under wraps.

John said: "We saw part of a frieze with beasts on and reckon we were quite near the centre. It's absolutely beautiful and a work of art. We think it's possibly in the same league as the Woodchester floor, which is officially 'the largest Roman floor mosaic known in north west Europe'."

The friends have registered the find with county council archaeologists and are liaising with Cirencester's Corinium Museum.

County archaeologist Tim Grubb said: "If it is a Roman mosaic, it would obviously be very exciting as all Roman villas are nationally important archaeological sites.

"But we don't yet know the exact site and if anything else has been recorded there.

"Mosaics are best preserved under the ground and there's very little chance, unless the landowner wants to stump up a considerable amount of money, that anything would be done with it."