A LOVED engagement ring that was lost in the waters of the River Test in Whitchurch has been returned to its grateful owner.

Last Saturday (January 22) Melony Meredith was feeding ducks with her son at Whitchurch Silk Mill when her engagement ring slipped off her finger and fell into the chalk stream.

Melony was left "broken-hearted" at the thought of never seeing her ring again but was over the moon when she received a phone call from the Skill Mill who had located it.

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Sue Tapliss, director of Whitchurch Silk Mill, said: "This story has a happy ending. It was like telling Mel she had won the lottery.

"We are delighted the ring is now back in the hand of its owner, who lost it while feeding the ducks and swans at the Mill. Thank you to everyone who helped find the ring."

Family and team members from the Silk Mill's café searched the water for the beloved piece of jewellery but were unable to locate it.

The next day, on Sunday, January 23 volunteers from the Mill and mudlark Jane Eastman, along with metal detectorists from Newbury, continued the search. The effort to find the ring was once more abandoned as the ring was not found before dark.

The ring was eventually found by Marie Colgrave, welcome building supervisor at the Mill, who spotted it in the gin-clear waters of the River Test on Monday, January 24.

Melony Meredith, was "amazed" to get her ring back and was grateful that everyone teamed up to help find it.

She said: "I cannot thank you all enough for your help and kindness. Totally amazed that it was found."

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The Silk Mill shared the news on Facebook.

They commented: "If we were detectorists, we would be joyously dancing our gold dance today! We found Mel's engagement ring.

"The eagle-eyed Marie spotted it in the gin-clear waters of the River Test whilst helping Jane Eastman detect. Treasured belongings restored to their rightful place."

Staff at The Silk Mill and everyone involved in the search said they were glad to hear about the happy ending.

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