A METAL detectorist who once unearthed a relic left by 10th century Viking raiders has introduced care home residents to the joys of treasure hunting.

Lee Swallow is a clinical care practitioner at Pendine Park ‘s Bodlondeb care home in Wrexham where the pastime is now also being used as reminiscence therapy.

Tales of his exploits and different centuries-old finds have so interested residents that Bodlondeb manager Ann Chapman asked Lee if he would run regular metal detecting sessions at the home.

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She said: “It has really taken off with a number of our residents showing lots of enthusiasm. On summer days in particular it is great fun for those of them who want to get outside for a while to enjoy searching for any treasure which might be buried around the extensive 12-acre grounds at Pendine.”

One of Lee’s proudest moments was finding the copper alloy strap mount or clasp made by the Norse invaders.

It probably dates back to the time of when attacks by the Vikings and the Welsh helped weaken the Anglo-Saxon power base in North East Wales.

The area was eventually taken over by the Welsh when it became part of the Lordship of Maelor.

The clasp later went on display at Wrexham Museum alongside his other finds, including four silver coins and eight medieval spindle whorls made from lead that were used to weave ancient cloth.

Two of the silver coins date back to the 14th century with another from the 15th century, while the fourth was made in 1760.

According to the intrepid treasure hunter, his adventures with a metal detector are the closest you can come to time travel and can often trigger important memories for some of the residents.

They have already gathered an impressive horde of about 200 old coins, ancient buttons and seals, which are all safely kept in their special ‘treasure case’.

Lee said: “If we unearth an old coin for instance, we will look at the date and the design, and if it is fairly recent – say from the 1930s or 40s – the residents may remember using that type of coin in their younger years and it prompts memories of going to the shops spending their pocket money or saving their pennies to buy something extra special.

“There are coins going back to the 1800s and 1700s, and even a handful before that. We have examples in silver, copper, and brass. But we’ve not found any gold yet. That’s a big one for the tick list. If we could unearth some ancient gold I’d be over the moon.”

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Lee has been an avid treasure hunter since early childhood.

He said: “It started when we used to all go on family holidays, caravanning in Barmouth. We would spend long days going beach combing to see what we could find and I always looked forward to those fabulous trips.

“From there my interest gradually evolved until I took up metal detecting and it’s continued over many years now. It’s a great way to learn about our history and enjoy some fresh air too."