GRATEFUL Pat Torres is set to be re-united with her precious diamond ring following an emotional St Helens Star front-page plea.

After spotting the report a young couple contacted Pat's family and said they had picked up the ring on Duke Street on Saturday, August 16. Pat had gone to the Palace Restaurant that evening for a farewell family meal before returning to her home in America last week.

The ring, valued at £6,500, had belonged to Pat's late husband Frank and was half of a pair. She told last week how the jewel's worth was dwarfed by its sentimental value.

The good news was soon sent over to Pat at her home in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Her sister, Margaret Pennington, 74, from Clinkham Wood said: "My nephew contacted her straight away and she was elated. Everybody thought it was gone forever.

"A young woman phoned up after seeing the report in the Star. They'd picked up the ring, thought nothing of it and then been on holiday last week.

"It just goes to show there are some real genuine people about. My sister wants to thank them and the St Helens Star."

The young couple who returned the ring have been given a reward, as promised by Pat in last week's story.