Man unearths weapons whilst magnet fishing across South Yorkshire

The 37-year-old, from Rotherham, has found knives, missiles and even World War II bullets while magnet fishing in canals and rivers across South Yorkshire.

Magnet fishing might be an unknown term to many, but for Liam it has become hobby which allows him to explore, build his confidence and hopefully find rare items in the process.

His interest in the pastime was sparked six months ago after seeing a YouTube video about magnet fishing and he decided to give it a go.

The hobby, is a combination of environmentalism and treasure hunting, as people use a strong neodymium magnet, which is then pulled through a body of water in hopes of finding lost items beneath the depths.

Liam bought a magnet, rope and gloves and began to search for interesting items in the waterways.

He said: "You can go anywhere as long as it's not private property. Interesting things are rare, you can spend about 10 or 20 hours somewhere and not find anything. You do find rubbish, tin cans, scrap metal things like that."

But, he has also found a number of strange items around Sheffield and Rotherham, so began his own YouTube channel to share his stories.

He said: "I've found bullets from World War two, knives which have been potentially used for crimes, a big machete, safes, cash boxes, CCTV units which people have discarded to maybe hide evidence, a sawn off shotgun, replica guns, missiles.

"After I found the sawn off shotgun I posted pictures and a video on YouTube, people were telling me I should take it to the police. It wasn't usable but to be on the safe side I took it to the police and they kept that. I also went to the police with the ammunition, and after I found a bomb."

The bomb squad were called to investigate the bomb, but due to it's age and how it much it had corroded it wasn't seen as a threat, but was removed anyway for safety reasons.

Liam added: "I also restored a knife I found, and also found a police baton.

"I started to find these interesting things, and I was taking pictures and videos of them so I decided to film them and post on YouTube. I'm not confident, but I've enjoyed it. I've gathered a bit of a following and it's help build me confidence as well.

"I take photos of everything I find, and post of YouTube and Facebook to show other people. I spend a lot of time going to areas and finding nothing - but sometimes find items."

Liam said many of the items are found near bridges where people have thrown them off, while bombs have been found in Tinsley, Attercliffe, Rotherham town centre and Sheffield city centre – areas bombed in the war.

Liam has received many messages from other members of the magnet fishing community, asking for advice and sharing their finds, so he has now started making videos with tips and tricks to pass on his knowledge to those wanting to take up the hobby.

You can keep up to date with Liam's finds via his YouTube channel.