A HIDDEN 'museum' of dive gear and treasures salvaged during a veteran Plymouth commercial diver's long career are to be the subject of a new film.

Ray – A Life Underwater is a cinematic documentary which explores 75-year-old diver Ray Ives' vast collection of finds, including cannon, portholes, swords, gold and silver.

The vast array of underwater relics have been hidden within a metal shipping container for decades.

Devon filmmaker Amanda Bluglass became fascinated with the finds and the story of septuagenarian Ray after learning of the treasure trove's existence through a friend.

"Dylan Kalis, managing director of Yacht Havens Quay in Plymouth ,told me of Ray's collection which he keeps in a metal container at the marina," said former BBC journalist Amanda, now an associate lecturer in media arts at the University Of Plymouth.

"He has over 15 dive helmets which chart the course of dive technology over the last century. Ray is extraordinary. He even still dives in a hand-pumped 1900s Siebe Gorman diving suit with copper helmet."

The newly-released documentary has already registered 40,000 hits on the popular filmmakers website Vimeo, in advance of its upcoming UK premiere as part of the British Art Show at the University of Plymouth in October.

The 14-minute feature, filmed entirely on high definition SLR cameras, has also been submitted to Robert Redford's famous Sundance Film Festival.

"It will be fantastic for Ray's story to be told internationally," said Amanda.

Shot in and around Plymouth Sound by Danny Cooke, the film also features underwater photography by Neil Hope, and aerial shots by Liskeard's Castle Air.

There are also plans to put the collection on a firmer footing with a permanent installation at Yacht Haven Quay, where Ray's treasures can be displayed for all to see.

"My life has been quite adventurous really – I've dived and worked all over the world, but to someone who's never dived I couldn't explain it really," says Ray, who lives in Plymstock and still dives regularly from his 21ft hard boat Nymet.

"I suppose it's like being on the moon, not that I've ever been to the moon – but it just reminds you of space.

"But as long as I can climb in and climb out I'll carry on doing it."

To find out more go to www.rayalifeunderwater.co.uk.