WHAT started out as a hobby for a metal detectorist in Taunton resulted in a dream come true after he found a rare medieval ring.

The County Gazette reported in June 2015 how Paul Saxton, 56, couldn’t believe his eyes the previous year when he discovered a gold Saint George ring while sweeping a farmer’s field.

And the magic of his find continued when the ring fetched a whopping £7,000 at auction eight years ago – more than double the estimated price.

Paul’s love of searching the land began when his mother bought him his first detector for his birthday over 15 years before his big find.

He said: “I have found a few things before such as Roman coins and a Roman gem stone, which went to the Taunton Museum but was sadly stolen.

“This is the most exciting thing I have found though and I knew straight away that it was something special.”

When you find an item, it has to be reported to the coroner to determine whether it is treasure.

A lengthy process begins as it can go straight to the British Museum or any other museum should they want it.

If they don’t, the finder can keep it.

Paul said: “The process has taken over a year and it’s been an anxious and exciting wait.

"I was surprised when no museum wanted it, but it meant that I could sell it.

"I have an agreement with the farmers who own the land so we will split the money.”

The ring was dated to the early 16th century by Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s fine jewellery expert John Kelly, and was sold at the firm’s Taunton salerooms.

Paul added: “It was nerve wracking. At first no one bid, so the auction started pretty low, but when the phone bids came in I just couldn’t believe it.

"I hope the buyer gets as much pleasure out of it as I did finding it.”