Four men who were arrested after being found at a scheduled ancient monument with metal detecting equipment have been charged.

The men were allegedly discovered at the protected site in mid Suffolk at 10.15pm on Wednesday, October 12.

Metal detecting on sites scheduled as ancient monuments is illegal without permission from the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

They were arrested on suspicion of using a metal detector on a site scheduled as an ancient monument, contrary to Section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.

The group was also found in possession of items suspected to have been from the site.

The men were taken to Martlesham police investigation centre for questioning before being released under investigation.

Bradley Ling, 24, of Pond Lane, Surlingham, Kyle Mickleburgh, 25, of Donchurch Close, Norwich, Michael Travell, 37, of Beverley Road, Norwich and Aaron Williams, 25, of Fleeters Hill, Hingham, have now been charged with the use of a metal detector in a protected place without the written consent of the Commision, as well as being charged with going equipped for theft.

Williams was also charged with removing without written consent an object of archaeological/historical interest found using a metal detector in a protected place.

All four men are due to appear at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on May 26.