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Hoo grandmother reunited with lost wedding and engagement rings at Aldi in Strood

A great grandmother was lucky to track down her wedding and engagement rings after she lost them on a busy shopping trip when she went to more than 10 different places.

Laraine Allcorn, who was widowed three years ago, was devastated to discover the precious jewellery was missing on Friday.

Laraine Allcorn lost her wedding and engagement rings on a shopping trip
Laraine Allcorn lost her wedding and engagement rings on a shopping trip

The pensioner was getting ready for bed at her home in Hoo Marina Park when she realised they weren't on her hand.

And to make matters worse, Laraine had been to lots of different places that day - so the rings could have been anywhere.

She had visited the Village Institute and The Chequers pub in Hoo, and been shopping with a friend in Strood – stopping at Aldi, Morrisons, Matalan, B&M, Lloyd's bank, Jane's Stall, Wilko and Ramo's Café. She had also been to Asda in Gillingham.

Laraine Allcorn with he late husband Denis
Laraine Allcorn with he late husband Denis

Laraine, who has seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, said: "It had been an unusually busy day. My heart just sank when I realised they were gone. I didn't sleep at all on Friday night."

The church volunteer, who was married to Denis for 56 years, posted a desperate plea on Facebook in the hope that someone would have found the rings.

She posted online: "They have great sentimental value as I was married for over 50 years and lost my husband three years ago."

The 22 carat gold wedding ring and the 18 carat gold solitaire engagement ring had been soldered together to form one bridal set. Laraine had moved them from her wedding ring finger to her other hand ahead of having an operation later this month, as she was worried she wouldn't be able to remove them nearer the time.

The wedding and engagement rings were soldered together to former one bridal set
The wedding and engagement rings were soldered together to former one bridal set

When she got no response from posting online, Loraine decided to retrace the steps she took on her shopping trip.

After getting off the bus in Strood, she went to Aldi first - and was amazed when a member of staff said they had been handed in.

She said: "My plan was to go back to every shop I had been to and leave my name and phone number. It just so happened that Aldi was the first place I went to as it was nearest the bus stop.

The rings were found in Aldi in Strood
The rings were found in Aldi in Strood

"I just burst into tears when they said they had got them. I was so emotional, I can't explain how happy and relieved I was."

She added: "I am just so grateful to whoever handed them in. My next stop was going to be the pawn shop as they could have easily been taken there. It shows there are still nice people around. It would be lovely to know who it was that found them."

Do you know who found the jewellery? Contact the newsroom on 01634 227803.

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