An Essex man has unearthed a fully preserved London Underground train with the metal detector he was given for Christmas.
Terry Muswell from Epping was out scanning for possible Roman coins and knick-knacks at the end of his garden when he made the discovery.
'I couldn't believe it' said the 32 year old self-employed Chef 'I'd only just got the detector and was still getting used to the big twiddly knob thing on the side when suddenly it went bonkers, beeping away like mad. I grabbed a spade and got my new Labrador puppy Patricia to help me dig. Within four hours we had unearthed a complete London Underground train. Honestly, it's a treasure trove down there. I also found some nice seats, leather briefcases and a party of Japanese schoolgirls'.
He did contact Transport for London to ask if it was ok to keep the train.
'They were in the middle of their 150th anniversary knees-up when I rang but the lady said she'd investigate as soon as they'd finished the Hokey Cokey, Pictionary and the last plate of egg mayonnaise sandwiches'.
‘If they do let me keep it I can put it on the mantelpiece next to the replica of Blackpool Tower that my cousin Brian found in Paris’.