Since the appearance of the first commercially available metal detectors in the 1960s, the hobby of metal detecting has developed rapidly and, as the technology has improved, more and more people have become metal detectorists. This is not surprising since metal detecting is an enjoyable and exciting leisure-time pursuit that is accessible to almost everybody, regardless of age or fitness. Moreover, metal detecting need not be an expensive hobby and there is a wide range of metal detectors to suit almost every budget.Contents include: How to go about buying your first detector; The principal types of detectors, their advantages and disadvantages and how to use them; How to recover and identify buried objects and clean them; Detecting inland, on beaches and underwater, and the safety precautions required in all three environments; The law relating to metal detecting, how to search for potential sites and how to gain the necessary permission to search on private land. Superbly illustrated with over 100 colour photographs depicting equipment, detectorists at work and interesting and important finds. Essential reading for those who are considering taking up metal detecting, as well as those who have already become detectorists. Metal detecting is an enjoyable and exciting leisure-time pursuit - it is not an expensive hobby and there are metal detectors to suit every budget. Clearly written and brimming with helpful information and tips. Superbly illustrated with over 122 colour photographs and 15 diagrams. John Clark is an experienced metal detectorist.