BARMY beachcomber Joe Gray rides a giant sea-mine he found as if it was a space hopper.

Joe, 43, rolled it back home to use as a footstool.

Beachcomber Joe Gray rides a giant sea-mineCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Joe rolled it back home to use as a footstoolCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

He hoped to keep it after Coastguards told him it contained no explosives.

But the Royal Navy took it back after explaining it was a training aid which had slipped a chain in Penzance, Cornwall.

Joe, a self-confessed lover of all things ‘weird and wonderful’, then dragged the mine his salvage and reclamation yard, Shiver Me Timbers.

He said: “In this line of work, we’re always coming across weird and wonderful things – and I’d been on the hunt for a mine for a while.

“As soon as I heard a mine had washed up, I was so excited – I dropped what I was doing and came running.

“It isn’t to everyone’s taste, but when I saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
It was such a thrilling find because it looks so striking.

Joe found the mine on a beach and hoped to keep it after Coastguards told him it contained no explosivesCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

The Royal Navy took the giant sea-mine back after explaining it was a training aidCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

Joe said he might have turned it into a unique stove or a piece of artworkCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

“Obviously I didn’t go anywhere near it until I knew it was safe – but as soon as I knew what I was dealing with, I couldn’t wait to get it back to the shop.

“I thought if I could keep it, I might have it turned into a unique stove or a piece of artwork, but that wasn’t to be because the Navy wanted it back.

“I’ll just have to hope another one washes up.”