Five fascinating things found by Darlington man with metal detector A MAN and his metal detector has been uncovering priceless pieces of history across the North-East during the pandemic - but what are his most interesting finds? Metal detecting first piqued the interest of Mark McMullan, of South Park, Darlington, when he bought his nine-year-old daughter a toy detector last Christmas. The 47-year-old investment manager took to traipsing farmers fields in August 2020 and has so far found countless coins and local treasures - including a cannonball and buttons from a local Quaker family. Mr McMullan says treasure-hunting is a mindful but addictive hobby.