A keen metal detector’s latest find could change his life after he discovered a wooden box containing twelve ancient lace bobbins – believed to be worth up to £450,000 – near his home in Great Hampden.

Mr Thomas Phule, age 61, who lives in Bladger Bottom, contacted Wycombe District Council on Monday and staff there recommended he took the box to Wycombe Museum who put him in touch with a specialist in lace and lace making objects.

She verified the items could fetch between £275,000 and £450,000 at auction.

Lace expert Hilary Jestor said: “This is a really unusual find which combines two local crafts of this area – lace making and wood turning or ‘bodging’.

“These wooden bobbins were made on a special triccar pole lathe which was only in use by a small number of local bodgers between 1742 and 1789, which makes them very rare and hence very valuable to specialist collectors.”

Handmade lace is a traditional Buckinghamshire craft which was widely practiced until the nineteenth century.

Intricate patterns are weaved using bobbins each attached to a thread.

Traditionally, each bobbin was uniquely handmade, often with distinguishing patterns, designs or inscriptions which were personal to each lacemaker.

Commenting on the find, Mr Phule said: “I’ve found some strange things in all my years of metal detecting, but these lace bobbins tell a real local story all of their own.

“You could have knocked me down with a feather when I found out how much they’re worth.”

Mr Phule will be donating the items to Wycombe Museum on Wednesday morning April 1 from 10am to 11.30am to show off his discovery of the wooden bobbins, from his local metal detecting.

Please contact Celi Storie on 010415 040115 to book a place.