Metal detectorist comes to newlyweds’ rescue after wedding ring lost on beach is found

A metal detectorist who found a Bristol newlywed’s wedding ring on a beach surprised them - by sending a picture of it being held by a Lego man.

Groom Richard Whetter, 44, and bride Anne, 42, arrived in Jersey for their honeymoon May 3 - but Richard lost his wedding ring during a romantic stroll in Portelet Bay two days later.

The couple travelled back to The Atlantic Hotel and told a porter who immediately contacted local metal detectorist Steve Andrews, who found the precious piece of jewellery on the beach after just ten minutes of searching.

Steve does not charge for his work and marks his finds with a special picture of a Lego metal detectorist.

He uses a mini-replica of himself with matching clothes and a little metal detector.

Richard said: “I took my ring off to go swimming and remember putting it in my shoe.

“But I’m not used to wearing one and forgot to put it back on.

“When I got back to the car that’s when I realised it was missing - my heart sank.

“After searching for it ourselves we returned to the hotel and assumed it had been lost forever”.

Steve said: “The thing I enjoy most about detecting is re-uniting people with their items.

‘’I was delighted to find the ring - it was one of the quickest I’ve ever completed.’’

He added: “The Lego man is just a nice thing to send to people - I find their item and take a photo as a sort of ‘I’ve found it!’.

“I got it as a jokey present from my sister - and it just stuck”.

Richard added: “Nathan’s quick thinking in contacting Steve really did save the day and meant we could continue to enjoy our honeymoon.

“I’m really grateful for Steve. What could have been an absolute disaster turned into a valuable lesson learnt - with an amusing edge”.