Metal detectors may lead to iron bars

DO NOT buy or accept metal detectors as presents this Christmas or you could end up spending the new year in jail, an expert warned yesterday.

And shops and manufacturers were told not to advertise metal detectors as they were making potential criminals of buyers.

Antiquities expert Dr Ned Kelly made the comments yesterday as selected items from a hoard of 800 artifacts, which were recovered from thieves, were put on display at the National Museum.