A metal detecting enthusiast has said he feels 'privileged' to have discovered a 15th century gold ring described as a 'very rare find for the UK.'<br /><br />Matthew Hepworth, 48, discovered the jewellery when he had been searching a field and heard a faint signal on his metal detector. <br /><br />He then found a rare, gold iconographic ring that has a drawing of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus on it, believed to be from the 1400s. <br /><br />Matthew has reported the ring to the landowner and the find liaison officer and the ring will eventually be the subject of an inquest to confirm if it is treasure. <br /><br />Although he doesn't know the exact value of the ring, he believes it is a very rare find for the UK.<br /><br />Matthew said: "It means so much to me that a piece of history has been salvaged from the ground. <br /><br />"It's a privilege for me to have been able to have found it and save it. <br /><br />"It was a big surprise when I found it and then I let the landowner know and he was gobsmacked and couldn't believe it.<br /><br />"It's a very rare find for the UK I would say. There has been a few found but not that many."<br /><br />Matthew donated a rare silver seal depicting a slave to Lancaster Maritime Museum which he found last year and he discovered a Bronze Age burial site in 2016.<br /><br />And he added that when he visits the museum, it's a 'lovely feeling' to know that something he discovered is there. <br /><br />Matthew, a charge nurse, said: "It just tops everything really, it's a lovely feeling to know that you've found something.<br /><br />"It also promotes the hobby and shows what responsible metal detecting can achieve. <br /><br />"It's nice to see your name against what you've found and it will be there forever for future generations to enjoy."<br /><br />The married dad-of-two has been metal detecting for 32 years and says he enjoys it because 'it's nice to do and to help find our heritage.' <br /><br />Matthew, of Morecambe, Lancs, said: "I like to search pieces of land with permission from the landowner. <br /><br />"I like looking at the local landscape and then the local history of the area. <br /><br />"You can find items in the middle of nowhere sometimes and it's nice to get out in the fresh air. <br /><br />"It can be very rewarding but the majority of times you go out and you don't find a lot but you know you've had fun really.<br /><br />"It's just been a good hobby for me over the years and I've had a lot of pleasure out of it. <br /><br />"It's an active pastime that keeps me fit and keeps my mind healthy because I'm out in the countryside and in the fresh air with nice scenery. <br /><br />"It's just nice to do and to help find our heritage."
