A SHARP-eyed pensioner uncovered a badge from a bygone era with his metal detector.

Sydney Cooper, 81, was taking part in a regular search with fellow members of the Cleveland Discoverers when his metal detector started bleeping.

Uncovering the earth, his fingers traced a round blue object bearing the word "hullo" in the middle.

He instantly recognised it as the badge of The Northern Echo's children's club, from the 1930s.

He said: "I remembered the Nig Nog Ring from when I was young. I think I might even have been a member. Finding the badge brought back a lot of memories."

The Nig Nog Ring was started on October 21, 1929, by Uncle Mac and Uncle Ernest, and within the first 11 weeks attracted a membership of more than 50,000 youngsters.

The words 'nig' and 'nog' were County Durham vernacular for boy and girl, and the club introduced two imaginary characters as "two little imps who live in the land of the moon".

On joining the club, Nig Nogs received a blue membership badge and were eligible to apply for offers such as a Brownie camera.

Mr Cooper, of Marton, Middlesbrough, has added the badge to his collection of finds, including Butlins badges from the 1960s and a coin dating back to Elizabeth 1's time