Archaeologists who uncovered an Anglo-Saxon oven at a site in Northumberland believe it is the first of its type ever found in the UK.

The oven was found alongside unbaked loom weights, which were used to stretch thread during weaving.

The team also discovered a structure, which was built using large posts, with surviving floors.

Dr Jane Harrison, a community archaeologist, has described the finds as “nationally important”.

The site, near Felton, has been popular for many years with metal detectorists, and a number of objects have been discovered in the past.

The recent dig, the third in successive years, suggests the site was an important Anglo-Saxon centre from about the same era as Ad Gefrin, near Kirknewton, where King Edwin had his palace in the 7th Century.