Never-seen before artefacts from the landmark discovery of a Saxon tomb will finally go on show in Southend – 13 years after being discovered.

The full roster of relics from the Saxon tomb, unearthed in land off Priory Crescent in 2003, will be brought back to Southend this year.

The artefacts will go on show at the Central Museum, in Victoria Avenue, next autumn, for six months.

The exhibition will include swords from the tomb and other metals as well as a lyre – a form of musical instrument from the time.

Clare Hunt, curatorial manager at Southend’s museums, said: “Most of these things that will go on show haven’t been since before.

“There will definitely be international interest in some of these items, as it was an internationally important find.

“People will be interested in the importance of the find as well as the beauty of some of the objects. It’s intriguing because we will never know who he was, but we know from the items buried, that he would have been an important figure.”

New research, due to be published next September, suggests the tomb belonged to a young man as he was buried with childhood items as well as more feminine objects such as a sewing kit.

Experts in each field, even including lyre specialists – one of the items discovered – have been researching the items in London.

In the past some items have been returned to the town for display, but this will be the first time the council has taken back the whole collection.

For the items to go on permanent display Southend council needs to build its £40million seafront museum.

Marion Pearce, a Southend historian, said: “These finds are vital to the town to show our ancient history and if a permanent site is found, then that will bring people to Southend.

“The town has a wonderful opportunity to regenerate itself through ancient history.”

Judith Williams, of Lovelace Gardens, a historian who teaches history at Southend Adult Community College, in Ambleside Drive, added: “The finds have been in London for too long, and Southend has lost its connection with the Saxon King in that time. Them coming back will be fantastic for Southend’s reputation and when they go on show permanently, it will become an attraction to make tourists visit the borough.

“This will allow people to visit the relics themselves, and I’d be wanting to take my class there on field days."