Delight nearly turned into disaster for a newly-wed couple when the groom lost his wedding ring in the Caribbean sea.

But thanks to the Royal Navy and a stroke of luck, the treasured piece of jewellery was recovered safe and sound almost two days later.

Found it - Tim and Diane Lodge, of Church Street, Maldon, with the wedding ring which was recovered from the sea. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON

Tim and Diane Lodge, of Church Street, Maldon, and own Buckles shoe shop in High Street, married at the end of May and then flew off on the trip of a lifetime for their honeymoon in Antigua.

But just hours after arriving at the paradise location, Mr Lodge, 32, had lost his wedding band.

Just as there seemed no hope, a worker remembered a man who lived nearby who worked for the Royal Navy and had specialist searching equipment.

Mr Lodge, who has an office in Wickham Bishops, quickly got in touch with him and he came out the following day with a hi-tech water metal detector.

He said: "The man started looking and there were a few false alarms when he indicated that he'd found something but it turned out to be a coin or something but then he waved over and came out with the ring and plonked it down on the table."

Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003

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