A BOX containing jewellery has been found in a roadside hedgerow as police trace its rightful owner.

The item was found by a member of the public in the hedgerow near to the Ashley Heath roundabout just off the A31 before being handed in to police.

A number of enquiries have been made to find out whether it is linked to any crime in the area, but no relevant information has been found.

Officers are now trying to reunite the recovered jewellery box with its owner – with an image of it being released.

Police Community Support Officer James Marsh, of East Dorset Police, said: “I am hoping that somebody recognises the jewellery box and can help us establish who it belongs to as we would like to reunite it with its owner.

“The box contains a number of jewellery items, which would enable us to make sure only the rightful owner can claim it.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230003552.