BOTTLE digging sparked Edward Hannon’s fascination for unearthing artefacts.

He recalls he would have been about 12 when he teamed up with a local bottle collector who would give him pennies for his finds.

“I’ve always been interested in Time Team and I used to do bottle digging when I was a kid,” recalls Mr Hannon.

As his fascination grew, he decided to invest in a metal detector taking his interest to a deeper level – literally.

“I bought a machine, it was about £60 and I really enjoyed it. I went out into some local woods, started there and found it amazing,” he said.

Over the years he has unearthed mainly old pennies, sixpences are particularly popular, hammered coins and military items such as hat badges, buckles, musket balls and bullets. An engraved coin and a mirror, possibly dating back to medieval times, are also among his collection.

But his greatest find was the recent discovery of two early Bronze Age flat axes he unearthed in a Silsden field after seeking permission from the landowner. Such is the importance of Mr Hannon’s treasure, the British Museum recently confirmed it wanted to buy the axes.

Recalling the moment he stumbled on the chance find, he said: “It was a strong signal going straight up. I knew it was something big and I was right.”

He dug down and uncovered two corroded copper alloy axes side by side. The axes were identified by Bronze Age experts at the British Museum.

Bradford coroner Martin Fleming has declared the finds treasure, meaning Mr Hannon and the landowner will share a reward.

Mr Hannon intends to give part of the reward to Bradford’s Marie Curie Hospice where his sister, Joanne Atkins, died from cancer shortly before he discovered the axes.

The 43-year-old, who works for fast food chain, McDonalds, says metal detecting has also helped with his struggles with dyslexia.

“It is just a hobby I do. I cannot read or write. It gets rid of a bit of stress,” he said.

He goes out metal detecting most weekends.

“I always ask permission from the people who own the land and I have met friends through it,” he says, referring to the friendships he has developed with local landowners and farmers.

“You have to build trust up and you have to be honest, which I am. You build a friendship up and respect the land, put it back as you find it.”

Mr Hannon says he wants to see children getting involved in metal detecting and hopes he will inspire them into taking an interest.

“I think this hobby will really help children understand history more," he said.