A grieving widow has pleaded for the safe return of a ring which she believes she lost in Norwich city centre, saying: 'I desperately want it back.'

Eastern Daily Press: A catalogue image of the type of ring Christine Collier is trying to find.A catalogue image of the type of ring Christine Collier is trying to find. (Image: Archant)

Today the EDP and Evening News is launching an appeal alongside Christine Collier to try and find her ring - which contains some of her late husband's ashes.

Eastern Daily Press: A family photograph of Christine Collier and her late husband.A family photograph of Christine Collier and her late husband. (Image: Archant)

Mrs Collier is offering a £100 reward for the recovery of the priceless ring and the EDP and Evening News is doubling that reward to £200.

The unique signet-style ring was made for Mrs Collier with a blue glass stone containing some of her husband, Colin's, ashes.

Mr Collier died last June, aged 60, seven years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The ring has its gold mark on the outside and inside it is inscribed with the words 'Love you lots, really, really'.

Mrs Collier, who had one son with her husband, had only received the ring around six weeks before it was lost and is determined not to give up hope of finding it.

'It was the Saturday before Christmas when I was in the city shopping,' Mrs Collier said. 'I've been in contact with all the stores I went in and I even went back the next day and was on my hands and knees searching for it.

'It was my own fault really though because I lost so much weight through stress that the ring was loose on my finger. I meant to take it off but I just couldn't bring myself to.

'We've placed an advert on (classifieds website) Gumtree and I've phoned all the pawn shops but they said they would remember it if they had seen it, and I've spoken to the police as well.'

Mrs Collier, who lives in Swardeston, near Wymondham, works as a travelling rep for chocolatier Ferrero Rocher, a job which she loves, saying: 'That's what's been keeping me going.'

Her husband worked in the same trade, as a rep for a London-based confectionary company, and the couple were married for 21 years and had been together for over 26 years.

Mrs Collier continued: 'When he first got diagnosed he was given five years but he was amazing and fought on for seven years and only gave up work three weeks before.

'I desperately want it (the ring) back. It just pulled me down so much when I lost it. I had been dealing with my husband's death pretty well really, but it just finished me off when I lost it. And I never lose anything!'

Among the stores Mrs Collier visited in the city centre on the day the ring was lost were House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Jarrolds, Debenhams and Primark.

Mrs Collier's sister, Barbara Newnes, from Little Plumstead, added: 'She is, naturally, heartbroken and the circumstances have added more to her grief. I am hoping that someone, somewhere has the ring or knows of its whereabouts and would plead with them to get in touch so that the ring can be returned to my sister.

'It is her 60th birthday in two weeks and how lovely it would be for her to have the return of her ring on, or before this special day.'

Anyone who can help Mrs Collier in her search can email her on christine.collier120@btinternet.com

Have you lost a prized possession? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk