The Staffordshire Hoard could be taken on a world tour after dozens of museums said they would like to host the Anglo-Saxon treasure.

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, which is the largest museum group in the world with 17 museums, is believed to be among those queueing up to host the Hoard.

Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent museums, which earlier this year raised the £3.25 million to buy the 1,500 pieces of gold and silver metalwork, are being inundated with enquiries about loans and touring exhibitions.

People queued for days on end to see the brief exhibitions in Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent and the British Museum late last year.

City culture chief Martin Mullaney believes that Birmingham and West Midlands can only benefit from taking the Hoard on the road.

He said: “There is significant interest from around the world.

‘‘I know that Washington DC, and that means the Smithsonian, and Chicago museums are very keen to show it.

“Pieces have already been sent to the Louvre in Paris to be studied.

‘‘There are so many items we could have several exhibitions at once.

‘‘It will not only promote the West Midlands around the world, but we could earn money for research or even bring some great exhibitions for Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in return,” he said.

He stressed that they will also honour a pledge to hold community exhibitions in Tamworth and Lichfield, close to where the Hoard was discovered.

Head of museums and heritage services Rita McLean said: “The interest in the Hoard has been staggering.

‘‘We have received requests from museums all over the UK and indeed further afield, including one request to display items in Washington.”