HE was part of one of the wildest rock bands in history.

As the bass player in the Rolling Stones for more than three decades, Bill Wyman was more than used to seeing his name appearing in tabloid headlines.

But these days the once wild Bill leads a more sedate life - and he's coming to York to talk about his rebirth as one of Britain's most unexpected historians. The musician has teamed up with writer Richard Havers to write a book about the popular hobby of looking for ancient artefacts with a metal detector.

Both will be at Borders later this month to sign copies of Bill Wyman's Treasure Island: Britain's History Uncovered, which is the result of a decade of burrowing around the country's fields.

When Bill bought his first metal detector in 1991, he famously told journalists that: "Metal detecting is more interesting to me than the new Rolling Stones' record."

He said the hobby became one of his main passions after he left the legendary music group. Metal detecting is an increasingly popular hobby in North Yorkshire, with enthusiasts combing the region's fields in a bid to unearth hidden treasures.

Bill's book looks at some of the treasures that have been uncovered across the country and what they reveal about Britain's history.

Bill was part of the quintet that was widely recognised as the biggest band in the world from 1962 to 1993.

Party-going, drug taking and hotel trashing, the Stones were also regarded as the most reckless music group of the late sixties.

Now far from wielding a champagne bottle, Bill, 68, is more likely to be seen in the nation's fields with his new "instrument".

Bill, 68, will be at Borders, on Davygate, on Monday, April 25, from 6.30pm.

Updated: 09:58 Friday, April 08, 2005