A mystery person has found and handed in an expensive diamond ring which was given to its owner in the same place it was lost a year before.

Alex Hollman, from Naphill, Buckinghamshire, was on holiday with her husband and two children in Winterton when the ring slipped from her finger at some point during the day.

The 48-year-old said the family had been to Great Yarmouth's Pleasure Beach on a particularly cold day during half term, and then headed to the beach when it got out a bit brighter.

Eastern Daily Press: Alex Hollman, husband Mark and children Daisy and George have an even stronger bond with their favourite Norfolk holiday village, Winterton, after a stranger handed in a lost diamond-studded eternity ring.Alex Hollman, husband Mark and children Daisy and George have an even stronger bond with their favourite Norfolk holiday village, Winterton, after a stranger handed in a lost diamond-studded eternity ring. (Image: Alex Hollman)

She noticed the ring was missing as they walked to the pub in the evening, but had no recollection of how long it had been gone or where it had been lost.

The family turned the holiday cottage upside down and rang round everywhere they had been, but to no avail.

They even spoke to people sitting near where they had been on the beach in case they found it.

Eastern Daily Press: Daisy and George Hollman on holiday in Winterton with the family dog Elton. The trip was partly soured by the loss of an expensive eternity ring. But the saga ended happily when it found on the beach and handed in by an anonymous person.Daisy and George Hollman on holiday in Winterton with the family dog Elton. The trip was partly soured by the loss of an expensive eternity ring. But the saga ended happily when it found on the beach and handed in by an anonymous person. (Image: Alex Hollman)

As a last ditch effort Mrs Hollman put a post on the village Facebook page just in case anyone came across it.

When they left for home she had given up all hope, but left a message with the cottage's owner.

However, just a few days later she was stunned to receive a call saying it had been handed in to the car park attendant on Beach Road after it was found on the sands.

Eastern Daily Press: The white gold and diamond eternity ring especially made for Alex Hollman in London's Hatton Garden. She has hailed the honesty of a mystery person who found it on the beach and handed it in.The white gold and diamond eternity ring especially made for Alex Hollman in London's Hatton Garden. She has hailed the honesty of a mystery person who found it on the beach and handed it in. (Image: Alex Hollman)

"Needle in a haystack does not even come close," Mrs Hollman said.

"It came by special delivery and still had grains of sand in it.

"It's a very expensive ring with nine diamonds. The honesty is just mind-blowing.

Eastern Daily Press: Alex and Mark Hollman with their children George and Daisy in Winterton. The holiday village they love for its nature and dog-friendly vibe is even more special after a ring thought lost forever on the beach was found and returned.Alex and Mark Hollman with their children George and Daisy in Winterton. The holiday village they love for its nature and dog-friendly vibe is even more special after a ring thought lost forever on the beach was found and returned. (Image: Alex Hollman)

"I just cried. When I lost it the whole of the next day I was really low and I had to have a word with myself. My husband was very pragmatic about it saying it was insured.

"I am not normally bothered about material things. But it was given to me while we were staying in Winterton which is somewhere we hold in our hearts, and it would have tainted that if I hadn't got it back.

"Now it just strengthens the bond and has even more meaning."

Mrs Hollman would love to trace the finder and thank them herself. Contact liz.coates@archant.co.uk to get in touch.