A HAMPSHIRE man is searching for a missing engagement ring which has been in his family for more than 50 years.
Philip Thompson, 64, of Fareham, said that he lost the ring while in Romsey at the beginning of June.
He was visiting the town to get the ring valued before he lost it in the town centre.
He said: “It’s probably gone and lost now, to be honest with you. I’ve given up all hope.
READ MORE: Local musician returns to Romsey to put on homecoming show
“We took it into Romsey that day because we had some other things to get valued, and we went into a couple of places to have a valuation, ended up selling two of the items, and that was the only item that we had left. I was going to give it to my daughter to get engaged
“Funnily enough, she has since got engaged, and we didn’t know anything about it before then, but there we go.
“I went into a shop to pay for something – it was always in my pocket – and when I went to another shop for something I realised it was gone. I rushed back to the first shop, but I couldn’t find it on the ground or anywhere.”
Due to his unfamiliarity with Romsey, Mr Thompson says that he is unsure of where exactly he lost the ring, saying that he thinks it was near Romsey Bus Station.
Describing the ring as being a traditional wedding band with one large diamond flanked by two smaller diamonds, Mr Thompson said that it had belonged to his mother, and dates back to 1952.
He added: “I’m very cross with myself and annoyed that I’ve had it for so many years since my mother died, and I was hanging on to it for my daughter, and within moments of losing it she’s got engaged. It would have been used as a wedding ring for her.
“And it was an heirloom, my dad bought it for my mum when they got married, so it was an heirloom to hold on to. I was only going to get it valued, I wasn’t going to sell it – I just wanted to know a bit more information about it."
Anyone who has information about the ring is asked to contact Mr Thompson by emailing philthomp@hotmail.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here