Mud race competitor's wedding ring woes

A mud race competitor who lost his wedding ring in the bog has vowed to return with a metal detector.

Jim Rugg, who was dressed as a flamingo, was left feeling red-faced after his wife spotted the band's absence on Sunday.

The 37-year-old had been among hundreds of people racing across a 440m (1,443ft) riverbank at the Maldon Mud Race in Essex.

Mr Rugg, who completed the race in 11 minutes, said he would be grateful if anyone who spotted it got in contact, but added: "Because it's such thick mud, it's so deep in the estuary, I don't think there's much chance of finding it."

Despite his feeling of "stupidity and frustration", the renewable energy worker said he "loved" the charity race and would compete again in 2026.

"Next year I'll have to do it with a metal detector and see if it turns up," he joked.

• As it happened: Live reporting from the Maldon Mud Race

Mr Rugg, who lives in Maldon, thought the ring came off while he crawled in mud that was up to 20cm (7.9in) deep.

It was given to him by his wife, Stephanie, at their wedding 10 years ago, but he forgot to take it off before diving into the mud.

"About five hours after I got home, she looked at her ring and hoped I'd taken mine off," Mr Rugg explained.

"I looked at my hand and realised it was gone. I just felt a sense of stupidity and frustration.

"The suction of the mud was so strong it could easily have come off, and with the adrenaline of it all, I just didn't feel it."

Searches for a replacement ring began immediately, according to Mr Rugg, who said his wife was leading the charge.

He laughed: "She doesn't like me not having a ring on my finger."

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