News of Dame Judi’s support comes on the day that The Art Fund launches a new interactive element to its dedicated microsite www.artfund.org/hoard.

From the comfort of their own home, members of the public can now join the craze for treasure hunting that has been sparked by the find of the extraordinary hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure in Staffordshire. ‘Buy Your Dig Site’ is a virtual map of the field where the Hoard was discovered. For a donation of £5 individuals can try their luck by "digging" a square of the field to see if it reveals an item of the Hoard. Players can buy as many virtual squares as they wish to boost the campaign. Click here to try.

Dame Judi Dench said: "It is essential that the Staffordshire Hoard should be kept and displayed in the area in which it was found. It would have so much more meaning to visitors, and it would be a great boost for the area."

Dame Judi Dench joins a growing list of stars backing the campaign to save the awe-inspiring Staffordshire Hoard for the West Midlands. Other supporters of the campaign include West Bromwich-born comedian Frank Skinner, ex-Rolling Stone and metal detector enthusiast Bill Wyman, and Tony Robinson, presenter of Time Team. The three major political party leaders have also pledged their support.

• David Starkey announces £3.3million campaign to save the Staffordshire Hoard for the West Midlands 13 January 2010

• Party leaders back Staffordshire Hoard campaign                 25 January 2010