A HEARTBROKEN pensioner from Trowbridge who lost her late husband’s engagement ring has made an emotional appeal to find her treasured possession that she has had for nearly 60 years.

Ann Reader, 77, has worn her husband Brian’s 18 carat gold and diamond engagement ring ever since he proposed to her in 1960.

However last Thursday morning she noticed in the Shires Shopping Centre that her precious ring was gone.

Despite scouring her home, her car, checking with police, shops and frantically retracing her steps, she has found no trace of it.

Now Mrs Reader, who has been a widow since Brian died 14 years ago, is offering a reward to anyone who finds the ring, which has a single gold band with a central diamond in a flower setting.

“It means the world to me. It is of huge sentimental value, I cannot buy another one – it is irreplaceable,” she said.

“I went into the Shires Shopping Centre toilets and I noticed it was not on my finger when I went to wash my hands.

"I must have taken it off somewhere but I cannot remember where. If anyone finds out I would be forever grateful.

“I have looked high and low, searched every nook and every cranny to try and find it but without much luck. I have searched my car, I have searched everywhere top to bottom but I just cannot find it. I told the police but they have not found anything either.

“Whenever you lose something you try to retrace your steps, so I have been in half a dozen shops in the shopping centre and the Sainsbury’s café area, I hope something comes up. I will offer to give something a reward if they find it.”

Mrs Reader, who moved to Trowbridge in November 2015, met Brian at the age of 20 at a dance in Lemington Spa, a place the couple lived for most of their lives.

“I was working at a hotel at the time and my friend said there was a dance on across the road, but I was reluctant to go. It was good that she convinced me to go as I ended up meeting my future husband there,” said Mrs Reader, who has three children and seven great grandchildren.

“I remember picking out the ring myself. It was so pretty, I loved it. It makes me sad not having it here. I have had it for 57 years.”

  • If anybody finds the ring please call the Wiltshire Times on 01225 773623 or the police on 101.