A woman has been left “lost” after burglars stole her handbag containing a family heirloom eternity ring.

Stephanie Arber, 27, of Braintree Road, Witham, has launched an online appeal to find the unusual gold ring, which has blue and clear pointed oval gems held by silver clasps.

It was given to Miss Arber’s grandmother, Dora, in the mid 1970s as a 30th wedding anniversary gift.

Miss Arber took the ring off while decorating and put it in her purse to keep it safe.

Her handbag was stolen from the back seat of her friend’s Vauxhall Cavalier while they were walking in James Cooke Wood, off Maldon Road, between 6pm and 6.30pm on October 11.

Miss Arber said: “I’ve been guarding the ring with my life ever since I got given it at 21.

“I’m gutted - I feel lost without it in a way.

“My grandma was such a lovely lady.”

Her keys and driving licence, which were in the handbag, were handed into a Salvation Army box in Tesco and a charity member dropped them at her home.

But unfortunately, the ring is still missing.

She said: “I know everyone says you shouldn’t leave stuff on the back seat and that was completely my fault.

“Everything was in there - my £500 phone, my keys, my passport, all my cards, but they’re all replaceable.

“The ring wasn’t hugely expensive but it’s the sentimentality that’s important.”

Contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.