An 87-year-old woman could not hide her delight after being reunited with her five-diamond eternity ring which was stolen from her home in February.

Theodora Toft, who lives off Sandy Lane in Cheam, said the piece was of huge sentimental value as it was also her mother’s wedding ring.

The ring, which was recovered from a pawnbrokers, was passed down to Mrs Toft more than 40 years ago when he mother died in 1964 and was valued at around £1,500.

She said: “I can’t believe I have got the ring back because I certainly didn’t expect to see it again. You get used to accepting that it’s gone forever bu then I was told by the police that they had recovered it and were bringing it round.

“They have been absolutely fantastic - really helpful, human, friendly and thoughtful. I can’t speak of them highly enough.”

The former civil servant has lived in the house since 1940 when she was 16 Detective Constable Mark Cooper, of Sutton’s newly formed Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team (BRIT), visited the pensioner’s home on Tuesday (June 28) to present the ring.

Theodora, a member of four art groups, is her artistic name which she uses when she does her portrait and animal watercolours - this name has been used to protect her identity.

A man, aged 45, pleaded guilty to burglary at Croydon Crown Court on April 19 and is due to be sentenced at the same court on July 22.

If you have any information that could help police with their enquiries please call Sutton police station on 0300 123 1212.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.