Emmerson and his metal detector.

New Yorker Mr. Kristofer Segerberg and his bride were devastated after losing a wedding ring. It had slipped off Mr. Segerberg's finger while he was surfing at Horseshoe Bay. The Parks department was alerted, and Mr. Emmerson was immediately called to the scene.

Mr. Emmerson, who has a special permit for his detector, spent four and a half hours searching the sea-bed. "I was beginning to despair. It was just maddening to know the ring was down there laughing at you.

"I was chest deep in water when I eventually found it about 50 feet from the shore.'' Mr. Emmerson rang the Segerbergs who were naturally overjoyed.

And now the couple has written to the Parks department, expressing their thanks. "My wife and I were on our honeymoon and were shattered to have lost the ring only three days after the wedding.

"Only through the outstanding assistance by J.A. Mark Emmerson, who searched in the water with an underwater metal detector, did we get our ring back.

"We were very impressed with the service provided by Mr. Emmerson. First, he had impeccable honesty, and returned the ring although he could easily have kept it without our knowledge. Second, he searched for hours, without seeking any compensation whatsoever.

"Third, he found the ring two days afterwards, when the probability of finding it was almost zero.'' The letter added: "Without Mr. Emmerson our honeymoon would have been ruined.'' For Mr. Emmerson, it is not the first time he and his metal detector have done people a good turn.

"I've helped tourists and honeymooners before. I think there is a problem that rings don't fit very well, and in the water they slide off.'' Mr. Emmerson, a photographer, has found hundreds of items during the three years he has practised his hobby.

RING FINDER -- Mr. Mark Emmerson and his metal detector.