Birmingham City Council has launched a fundraising scheme to acquire the biggest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.

The Staffordshire Hoard – which contains more than 1,500 artefacts, including 5kg of gold and 1.3kg of silver – has been housed at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery since 25 September. In that time, around 36,500 people have been to see it.

Now Birmingham City Council and Stoke on Trent City Council are working jointly to acquire the hoard to keep it in the Midlands.

Martin Mullaney, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture and Birmingham Council, said: “Working together with our partners – The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke on Trent, as well as other partner museums in Staffordshire – I know we can return the hoard to its rightful home in the region formerly known as Mercia.

“We are therefore launching an appeal and asking for help from the public, who have already been extremely generous. Public donations help us show national grant-giving and other funding bodies that there is strong local support for the acquisition.”

The Staffordshire Hoard dates back to the 7th century and was found in July 2009 by metal detectorist Terry Herbert. Details: www.bmag.org.uk/support-us