A COUPLE received an early Christmas miracle when they were reunited with a wedding ring that they thought had been lost forever in Christchurch five years ago.

Alex and Jo Francis from Suffolk visits friends in Dorset every October half term.

And their trip in 2015 had a sad memory after Alex lost his ring.

This was until BCP Council shared details of a wedding band that had been discovered during the dismantling of a timber groyne at Bournemouth beach earlier this week.

One day after launching the appeal to find its owner, Alex and Jo were made aware on social media.

The ring could easily be distinguished to the rightful owner by its personal 'Forever' inscription, along with a 2004 wedding date engraved on the inside.

Jo got in contacted with the local authority and told officers details of the ring, confirming it belonged to her husband.

She said: “I can’t tell you how excited we are that Alex’s ring has been found. It has made our daughters and wider family smile so much to get this news and if it can make anyone else smile during these difficult times that’s got to be a good thing.

“We’ve been married 16 years and planned to wear our matching rings forever. We were gutted to lose one of them and are both quite emotional now that Alex will be able to wear his again. Thank you so much to everyone involved in finding the ring and spreading the message, you have really made our day.”

The council's appeal was viewed by more than 53,500 people, with more than 1,000 likes and shares.

Julian Wyatt, of Suttle Projects Ltd who are carrying the groyne work, spotted the ring.

He said: "It’s a happy ending, albeit five years in the waiting.

"I think everyone, especially my daughters, are over the moon that the ring has found its way back to the rightful owner. The odds were against it definitely, so the outcome is even more pleasing.”

The timber groyne renewal programme is part of the Poole Bay Beach Management Scheme, designed to make the coastline more climate resilient.