A Bournemouth man is using metal detecting skills to help reunite people with lost valuables across Dorset and beyond.
Darren Wiles says what began as a hobby more than a decade ago has developed into a near full time recovery service, responding to calls from residents and visitors who have lost jewellery and other personal items on beaches and public spaces across the area.
Alongside running Bournemouth Metal Detecting Club and its free recovery service, Darren says he now only goes out when asked for help, often carrying out detailed background work before a search by asking questions, narrowing locations and mapping areas to improve the chances of success.
He estimates he has helped return close to £300,000 worth of items, including watches and rings, but says the most meaningful recovery involved a memorial ring lost on a Bournemouth beach containing the ashes of a twelve year old boy who died saving two girls from drowning.
“That moment was just unbelievable,” he said, describing the silence and embrace that followed returning the ring to its owner.
Darren balances the work with a full time job in software, and says people usually find him through word of mouth or online searches when something important goes missing.
As he doesn’t charge for the service, he does support a charity called Meredith’s Mission, so if people want to donate they can.
Share us with your friends on social media, and have a listen to Bournemouth One online and on DAB for all your local news, traffic, jobs, weather, coastal info and more.
Register below for free regular updates via email.