Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool – due to open in July 2007 – will feature a collection of Viking treasure as part of its Magical History Tour exhibition.

The Huxley Hoard comprises 22 silver objects, mainly bracelets, from around AD 850–950. The collection, which features the distinctive Irish Sea style, was discovered in Chester in 2004.

The exhibition will also feature learning activities on the Viking period, such as workshops for schools.

National Museums Liverpool, Grosvenor Museum in Chester and the Cheshire Museums Service jointly purchased the objects thanks to a £45,800 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Your Heritage scheme.

The treasure – to be displayed at all three venues on a rotating programme – will join a selection of silver Viking objects found in Cuerdale, Lancashire, which is already in National Museums Liverpool’s collection.

Tony Jones, HLF manager for the north west, said: “This precious and valuable reminder of our Viking history is coming home to the north west, where it will greatly enrich the way people can explore the past.” Details: www.merseysidemaritimemuseum.org.uk