A WOMAN who lost her 50-year-old engagement ring in a supermarket has had it returned thanks to an advert in the Guardian.

Irene Clemens, 78, of Ollards Grove, Loughton, was shopping in the Safeway store in the High Road, on Saturday, July 17, when the diamond solitaire ring slipped off her finger. She alerted staff but despite scouring the aisles, they were unable to spot it.

As a last resort her daughter, Julie, placed a lost and found notice in the Guardian's classified section on Thursday, July 22, and within a day there was a response.

Julie Clemens said: "My mother was so pleased to get it back. She has had it for 50-odd years and it's of great sentimental value. She was very distressed over losing it, but almost as soon as the newspaper came out on the Thursday, someone rang to say they'd found it. She was very relieved."

A local woman had seen the engagement band and picked it up for safekeeping, before checking the lost and found column at the first opportunity.

Mrs Clemens said: "The funniest thing was that they knew each other. My mother had met her in another supermarket earlier in the week and they had struck up a friendly chat. It was an amazing coincidence.

"We didn't know when we placed the ad if it would work, but it certainly did. I think it helped that it was printed in a very noticeable place, right at the top of the page. We were all delighted to get the ring back. It means a lot to my mother."