Trading standards officers are attempting to reunite people with valuable belongings following the closure of a Gillingham pawnbrokers.

Cherished items such as jewellery and technical goods including TVs, laptops and iPads have not been returned to their rightful owners following the sudden closure of Cash Generator at the end of January.

The former owner of the franchise store in Gillingham High Street is now working with Medway Council trading standards to ensure residents get their goods back.

But there’s only a two-week window in which people can come forward to claim their items. Residents need to get in touch by Friday, March 20, at the latest.

Anyone who was due to buy possessions back from Cash Generator, Gillingham, after January 31, should call trading standards on 01634 333333.

To retrieve goods, callers will be asked for the original agreement number, the amount owed on it and details of who left the item in the shop.

If the items are available arrangements will then be made to return the goods upon payment of the amount owed.

Among those seeking the return of their possessions was retired teacher Reggie Taylor-Harding – who has been fighting to recover a treasured wedding ring since he learnt the shop had closed.

He spoke to the former owner of the shop and was told his wedding ring would be returned in the post – but that a fold-up bike he had also pawned had been sold.

“I wasn’t happy, but at least it looks like I’ve got my ring back,” he said. “That’s the main thing.”

Medway Council’s community safety chief Cllr Peter Hicks said: “It is always sad when a local shop goes out of business but particularly so when local people might lose valuable items or things with a sentimental value.

“Medway Council’s trading standards team is going above and beyond their remit to do everything they can to make sure any losses to local residents are kept to an absolute minimum.”