Woman who lost wedding ring in ballot box reunited with jewellery item

The 22-year-old who went by the name of Charlotte realised that the ring, given to her by her mother Janice as a keepsake, was missing after voting in last week’s general election and searched high and low without success.

But council staff who found the ring in a ballot box used at Cloverlea Primary School in Timperley, Greater Manchester, put out an appeal to find the owner and has now handed over the family heirloom.

Charlotte, a former Nottingham University textiles student, currently working at a John Lewis department store, said: “It was about 8.30pm when I went to vote as I had been working all day and was very tired.

“The ring was on my index finger and was slightly loose so it must have fallen off as I posted my vote into the box and pulled my hand away.

“I went home and later realised I had lost the ring and looked everywhere for it. I was really upset that I couldn’t find it.

“I was off work the following day, the Friday, and had still not found the ring.

“The next day I was on the way to the Trafford Centre with a friend and we were chatting about the ring.

“She said ‘Did you vote last night? I have seen a post on social media about a ring found in a ballot box at Cloverlea.

“The penny dropped and I realised it must be mine. I phoned Trafford Council and described the ring and they said they had it at the Town Hall.”

Charlotte added: “I am delighted to have found it, I didn’t want to face my mum’s wrath.

“I’m going to be a lot more careful in the future. Thanks to the council for helping me with this.”

Sara Saleh, Trafford Council’s corporate director of people, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have presented the ring to Charlotte. We are so pleased to have traced her – and to give her the best Christmas present ever!”