IT was a simple gold band that meant so much.

Evelyn Whitlock's wedding ring had been a treasured reminder of her wartime wedding in 1940.

The 82-year-old widow was devastated when the cherished piece of jewellery was stolen in a burglary at her Southampton home last month.

Also taken was an irreplaceable St Christopher ring which her husband Ted had made specially for her after she passed her driving test more than 50 years ago.

Heartbroken Evelyn, who was left shaken after finding an intruder in her bedroom in the middle of the night, quickly gave up all hope of ever seeing either ring again.

But now, after a fine piece of detective work by Southampton police officers, the pensioner has been reunited with both items.

Investigations by officers from the city's specialist crime team, based at Bitterne police station, tracked the rings down just days after the break-in.

The pair were found by PC Neil Smith during the course of inquiries at Albemarle and Bonds pawnbrokers in Southampton.

Today delighted Evelyn, of Winchester Road, Shirley, said: "I was very upset about it at the time, but I am very pleased to get them back now.

"It is absolutely wonderful as they have great sentimental value to me. I think the police have done very well indeed."

She added: "My gold wedding band could not have been replaced, but the St Christopher ring is perhaps even more special.

"My husband had it made for me when I passed my driving test and said the patron saint of the road would look after me and make sure I never had an accident.

"I wear both rings all the time but take them off at night because my hands swell and I put cream on. I had popped the rings into a drawer and felt shocked when I realised they had been stolen."

Evelyn, who was widowed five years ago, initially thought it was her 21-year-old grandson when she was woken by someone rifling around her bedroom on April 23.

"I asked him what he was looking for and he jumped up and ran out," she said.

"I wondered if I had been dreaming but realised I had been burgled when I went downstairs."

Other items stolen, including a camera, wristwatch, cash, jacket, Southampton Football Club shirt, Saints match tickets and cigarettes, have not been recovered.

PC Smith, who managed to trace the jewellery, said: "These rings are worth very little materially, and burglars never consider the sentimental value of the items they steal.

"Mrs Whitlock has lost her husband and these rings could never have been replaced. It is very nice to be able to give them back to her."

Carl O'Dell, of Irving Road, Maybush, has been charged with burglary following the incident.

The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Southampton magistrates last week and currently awaits sentencing.