Simon Wood reunited with wedding ring lost at Lymington Sea Water Baths thanks to 'Lord of the Rings' detectorist Darren Wiles

A MAN who lost his one-of-a-kind wedding ring in Lymington Sea Water Baths has been reunited with it nine months later thanks to a helpful metal detectorist.

Simon Wood turned to Darren Wiles for help after his bespoke band slipped off his finger while he was clambering around the inflatables course in the baths in July last year.

Darren Wiles – dubbed 'Lord of the Rings' after recovering over 140 pieces of lost jewellery for owners – had to wait for the swimming pool in Bath Road to be drained to be able to work his magic.

Mr Wood, from Southbourne, told the A&T: “Normally, I take my ring off when I go swimming, but didn’t this time.

“I was horrified when I realised it had fallen off.

"We asked at the baths if they ever recover stuff. They said they sometimes did but we would have to wait until the pool was drained over the winter.”

Simon, who has been married 12 years, said his wife Emma remembered Darren who has made headlines around the world for reuniting people with their lost items – which he does for free.

As reported in the A&T, Darren, from Bournemouth, previously came to the rescue for Sway man David Mold in 2021 when he found his lost ring at Avon Beach, Christchurch.

Simon said: “We got in touch with Darren and he agreed immediately to help when the baths were drained.

"He rang us on 2nd March to tell us we could have a go at searching, which was odd as it was our wedding anniversary.

“I told the kids I was going on a treasure hunt which they were really excited about. At the baths there was still a bit of water in the bottom, and it was very pebbly so it was as easy as searching in a tiled swimming pool.”

He and Darren spent a “very cold” hour-and-a-half looking for the ring.

Simon said: “To be honest, I was beginning to think it was a lost cause. Darren was finding all sorts: headbands, bracelets and coins.

“Then he said, ‘I think this is it’ – and there it was, a little bit tarnished but otherwise as good as new.

"I couldn't believe it. I was over the moon, and so was Emma when I told her.”

The ring, made out of palladium, is now back on his finger where Simon says it “will be staying”.

Praising Darren, he said: “He is absolutely amazing. The ring is was specially made for me and of huge sentimental value. I would never have found it without him.”

Darren described the swimming baths hunt as “one of my more challenging”, adding: “I found some interesting items including an old threepenny bit and a sixpence which must be 60-70 years old.

“It was a really special moment when I handed Simon's ring to him. It is up there with the top ones I’ve done.”