WHEN Sandra Jackson’s wedding ring slipped off her hand and landed in Ackers Pit, Stockton Heath, the mum-of-two was convinced she would never see it again.

But thanks to South Lancashire and Cheshire Metal Detecting Club, based in Widnes, the Lower Walton grandma was delighted to be reunited with her ring of more than 38 years.

The 67-year-old, of Gainsborough Road, said: “I was so excited and upset at the same time when they said they had found it.

“We had tried and tried but had no joy for weeks and I thought swans could have eaten it or it was lost in the mud and then the metal detecting club found it in less than five minutes.”

The ring slipped off Sandra’s hand when she was fishing with her grandchildren on August 27.

She said her husband Trevor, aged 70, helped her search for hours before returning to the spot and using a dredger and sieves during another five hour search.

Sandra’s brother Dave Allan, aged 66, looked on the internet for someone who could help and called the metal detecting club.

They found the ring last Thursday; more than 10 weeks after it had been lost.

Sandra, who married Trevor at Oakwood Methodist Church, added: “My sons had warned me there wasn’t going to be much chance of finding it so I just couldn’t believe it when I saw it again.

“I started hugging and kissing everyone and I can’t thank them enough.

“i couldn’t sleep the following night and kept looking at my ring.

“Everyone has told me how lucky I am.”

The club said they would not take any money for the search and so Dave has instead donated £100 to Breast Cancer Care after his wife Pauline, aged 58, died from breast cancer in 2007.