A recycling centre had to partly shut after a man lost his wedding ring in a heap of rubbish.

The jewellery slipped off and fell in the paper and card compactor as he disposed of items at Herne Bay Household Waste Recycling Centre this afternoon.

The machine was powered down while staff tried to find the precious item.

A member of staff posted on Facebook to inform residents, writing: "I don't want keep piling paper and cardboard on top of it, and risk it being lost forever. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I'm sure most of you will understand."

But workers were unable to find the ring, and the facility later reopened.

The waste has now been sent for sorting, but Kent County Council has contacted the recycling company asking it to look out for the ring.