Hoard of 11th-century silver coins unearthed at the site of a new nuclear power station

A hoard of silver coins dating back to the 11th Century have been discovered at the site of a new nuclear power station in Suffolk.

The cloth package containing 321 mint condition coins were found while Oxford Cotswold Archaeology were excavating at Sizewell C.

The "historically significant" find was dug up in a small lead bundle which is the size of a Cornish pasty and has been dubbed as "the pasty" by archaeologists.

The team believes the owner may have buried his money after Edward the Confessor's coronation in 1042 and never had the chance to return.

Andrew Pegg, the archaeologist who discovered the coins, said: “The Pasty, as it was immediately and affectionately named for obvious reasons, was a true privilege to find.

"I was shaking when I first unearthed it, seeing a single coin edge peeking at me.

"A perfect archaeological time capsule."

Alexander Bliss, Coin Specialist at OCA, added: “This new coin hoard provides us with valuable insight into the rich historical backdrop of this period.

"To play a small part in bringing its story to life has been an honor and a privilege.”

The French energy company, EDF, plans to build a two-reactor nuclear power station at Sizewell C on the Suffolk Coast.

The power station could generate 3.2 gigawatts of energy and power about six million homes.

In August last year, the Labor government established a £5.5bn subsidy scheme for Sizewell C with a final investment decision due this year.