Colchester woman grateful after detectorists find her dad's lost ring

Professional nanny Mel Hieatt, 49, was looking after two children at Chantry Park, in Ipswich, when she spotted the precious item was missing.

She had inherited the gold ring when her father died in March.

Mrs Hieatts, from Colchester, said she was left feeling “physically sick” at the loss of the ring, but added the response from strangers “restored her faith in humanity”.

She said a group of children “helped a very sad grown-up” by digging with their hands, sticks and sieves in search of the item.

“They gave me reassurance and told me not to be sad,” she said.

Mrs Hieatts enlisted the help of her “lovely” employers, who reached out on social media.

The ring which was found after a four-hour search

Metal detectorists Poppy Hayhoe, 26, from Manningtree, and Garry Simmonds, 42, from Holbrook, read the appeal and decided to help.

Mr Simmonds was joined by his son Jack, seven, as the group continued the search.

He said he was amazed to find the ring on “just his second little signal”.

He said: “In the past I’ve been asked to find my friend’s wedding ring and couldn’t – I’ve even been asked to find a farmer’s false teeth. I couldn’t find them either.

“On my second signal I saw it was very dry sand, I dug with my fingers and saw a little glint of gold.

“I looked up and just said ‘Jackpot’.”

Mr Simmonds' son Jack

He added: “She ran over and I could see she was crying, as the ring meant so much to her.

“I didn’t know what to say, so I just hugged her.”

Mrs Hieatts said: “After four hours of searching and with the assistance of these lovely boys, who chose to stay and help long after all the other children had gone home, the tiny precious thing was found by Garry and his little boy.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart – and my rather sandy pockets.

“My faith in humanity is restored and the next generation are rather wonderful.”