A POOLE metal detectorist has made the 'find of a lifetime' - an ancient gold seal ring thought to be worth £10,000.

Paul Wood, 64, a driving instructor from Upton, uncovered the treasure while exploring land in Oxfordshire with the Metal Detectives Group.

“I’ve been metal detecting since the mid-1970s and this is a find of a lifetime for me," said Paul. "I’ve found broken bits of ring before but never anything like this. It’s in beautiful condition without a blemish on it and could be 500 years old.”

Such was the ring's quality - it dates back to between the late 1500s and early 1700s - it was named ‘Artefact of the Year’ by the group which has more than 1,000 members.

Mark Becher, who runs the Metal Detectives Group, said: “I organised the dig where the ring was found at Bampton, near Witney in Oxfordshire, on August 1, 2016. It took place on land sold off for housing development and when Paul found the ring he was so excited – we all were. We knew it was special.”

The ring is engraved with an elaborate coat of arms and crest which is believed to represent the Skynner family. According to research carried out by Mr Wood, the Skynners were important in the Bampton region from the 13th Century onwards. “Just above the helm, the crest consists of another bird’s head rising from a battlement, its mouth open and neck decorated with thin lines to indicated ruffled feathers," he said. A similar example can be found at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.”

Now, after going through the usual Portable Antiquities Scheme procedures and being examined by the British Museum, the ring is due to be auctioned at Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers Antiquities Auction on November 26. The estimate is £10,000.