THE Staffordshire Hoard is proving a major hit with American audiences after becoming the second most popular touring exhibition at the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC.

Only the famous Chinese Terracotta Army has received more paying visitors in its opening weekend two years ago.

The Anglo-Saxon treasure, found buried in a farmer’s field near Burntwood two years ago, has captured the imagination of US history buffs.

More than 1,000 paid eight dollars-a-head to view the rare items of gold and silver, on the opening weekend.