IT WAS his pride and joy. Now a discontinued model, the valuable Gucci watch was rarely worn. And when the 21st birthday present was stolen in a burglary, Southampton student Grant Thomas was devastated.

The 24-year-old had given up hope of ever seeing his designer wristwatch again. But now Grant has been reunited with his beloved watch, following a police appeal through the Daily Echo. Delighted Grant, studying for a human resource management degree at Southampton Institute, said: "I am very happy indeed to get it back.

"It was given to me for my 21st and has great sentimental value. I could never have got it replaced."

Grant, who lodges in the Polygon area, said he was grateful to Southampton police for tracking his watch down.

The distinctive Gucci was engraved with a 21st birthday message from Grant's parents and sister Kirsty, who had clubbed together to buy the £800 watch. Investigations into the burglary are continuing, but the watch was recovered by WPc Andrea Mcauley and Pc Nick Tucker.

Southampton Central Crimedesk spokeswoman Sue Stone said: "We are delighted the watch can be returned to its rightful owner."

Police said the Gucci had been recovered as a direct result of a story in the Daily Echo on Tuesday.

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