Stranger to the rescue after wedding ring lost on beach

James Turley said the support of Ben Bradshaw (right) was a "selfless act of kindness"

A man who lost his wedding ring on a beach while his wife was away said he is "overwhelmed" by the generosity of a stranger who spent hours searching for it with a metal detector.

James Turley, from Felixstowe, was fishing on a beach in the town on Tuesday when he lost the ring.

Ben Bradshaw, who also lives in Felixstowe, searched the area for five hours before finding it on Thursday.

"It's amazing that someone would do that for a stranger," Mr Turley said.

The ring fell off on Tuesday morning while Mr Turley was cleaning his hands after putting bait on his hooks.

The ring would have been difficult to find without the help of the metal detector

"I was absolutely gutted," he said. "My wife is out of the country so the first she knew about it was when I put a post online asking for someone with a metal detector.

"She texted me to say what an 'idiot' I am and she hopes I find it."

Mr Turley, 30, said the tide had been in about four times since he lost the ring so he "didn't dream" that Mr Bradshaw, who offered to search for the ring after a plea for help on Facebook, would find it.

Mr Bradshaw, 31, was "disappointed" that his initial search on Wednesday was unsuccessful, but he returned on Thursday morning.

"It was a really exciting feeling when I found it," he said. "I was overjoyed."

The ring was about 15 metres away from where Mr Turley had been fishing, about two inches under the stones.

Ben Bradshaw said it was an "exciting feeling" when he heard the metal detector go off

Despite being offered a reward, Mr Bradshaw, who had found an engagement ring earlier in the year, refused to be compensated for his efforts.

"I detect for the thrill of the hunt," he said. "I was just happy to help."