A CUMBRIAN museum's dream to save a rare Roman helmet for the public was shattered when it sold for more than £2 million to a private collector at Christie’s auction in London.

The 2,000-year-old bronze relic with adjoining facemask was found on farmland at Crosby Garrett, near Kirkby Stephen, in May by a young metal detector from Peterlee.

The hammer went down after just three fraught minutes and it was sold for £2,281,250 – nearly ten times the helmet’s guide price – to an anonymous UK collector bidding over the phone.

Of the six bidders, which included someone from California, Carlisle’s Tullie House museum was the only auction hopeful to have a representative in the room, which was packed with collectors from all over the world, Roman enthusiasts and TV crews.

The museum bid an impressive £1.65 million – raised in just three weeks through their public fundraising appeal Keep It In Cumbria – but were forced to drop out when bids coming in over the phones started to rocket past the £2 million mark. "We went to the auction with a very realistic chance but you just don’t know who you’re up against,” said Andrew Mackay, Tullie House collections manager.

“If we'd bid £2 million it could have gone for £3 million, you just don't realise how much money some people have.

“I am extremely disappointed and it’s just such a shame we couldn’t bring it home.”

The ‘Keep It In Cumbria’ campaign received more than £50,000 in public donations, and this week it was revealed that the anonymous businessman who said he would match the public’s funds pound for pound pledged £250,000 overall. It also received hundreds of thousands from the Hedley and Monument Fund and Arts Fund, and £1 million from the National Heritage Memorial Fund – donations which Mr Mackay describes as ‘ground-breaking’ and ‘unprecedented’ for a medium-sized museum’s appeal.

“Although we didn’t get the result we were after, within the time frame it’s an almost unprecedented amount of money. We were certainly breaking new ground in using Facebook and that attracted sponsors from all over the world. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated,” he said.

Mr Mackay still hopes the helmet can go on display at Tullie House in the future and has written to the buyer to see if they can come to an agreement.

He also wants to use the case to pressure the Government into reviewing the UK Treasure Act, and specifically the classification of Roman artefacts, which he feels should be given the same protection as items made from gold or silver, or pre-historic base metals.

"The Crosby Garrett helmet is an integral part of British history, yet because it's not old enough or not made from the 'right' metals we have not been able to save it for the public.

"We’re talking with the British Museum and together we hope that we can put some pressure on for change.”

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group, this week called for a serious review into the UK’s treasure laws following the sale and a question is expected to be tabled in the House of Lords in the next few months.

l The museum is returning the pledged money to the public and arts sponsors. Money donated to the museum regardless of them securing the helmet will go to the Friends of the Tullie House charity for future acquisitions and care of museum collections.guarantees they will get that."

Reporter Kate Proctor posted updates live from the Christie's auction on our website. You can read them in the box below.