A PRECIOUS engagement ring from the 1950s has been reunited with its owner after being found in among a box of vegetables being fed to some goats.

Jill Wrintmore, who lives in Chapmanslade, near Frome, lost the diamond and sapphire ring, given to her by her husband Ray in 1954, when she was shopping in SK Fruits in Westbury two months ago.

It was found by Westwood man Des Powell while he was feeding his 15 goats with vegetables he had collected from the shop.

Mrs Wrintmore said: "I lost the ring while shopping in Westbury. I thought it had gone. I was very grateful when

Mr Powell handed it in and would like to thank him for his honesty. I would also like to thank the shop staff for all their help.

"My ring must have slipped off among the cabbages. This was a chance in a million and I will have a better Christmas now it has been found."

Mr Powell, who was known only as Budgie to shop staff,

travels to SK Fruits in Trowbridge and Westbury to pick up greens and vegetables for the animals each day.

He first contacted the shops and Bradford on Avon police to see if anyone had lost the ring, but it was only after Mrs Wrintmore made her appeal public that the shop realised the two were connected.

Mr Powell, who keeps goats and chickens as a hobby, said:

"If it had not have fallen out of the box it would have ended up on the fire with the rest of the rubbish.

"I knew straight away it was quite old and would be dearly missed."

Mrs Wrintmore gave him a £25 reward for finding the ring.