LITTER-PICKING couple Chris and Sid Clarke have won the praise of police after reuniting a precious haul of stolen antique jewellery with its elderly owner.

Ledbury Tourist Information Centre supervisor Chris, who is also Ledbury in Bloom's secretary, recovered the gems from the verges of Downhouse Lane near their Redmarley home during an impromptu litter pick with her husband.

Having collected some 40 items, including necklaces and a gemstone-encrusted brooch, the couple telephoned police to be told they had stumbled on part of a burglar's haul from Corse the previous day. The items have since been returned.

The couple, who regularly help with litter picks in Ledbury, had been tidying up odd bits of rubbish in the lane, off Gloucester Road, when they found a polythene bag containing the jewellery.

Mrs Clarke said: "It would never have happened if we hadn't been litter-conscious because of Ledbury in Bloom."

Mrs Clarke said: "It was really exciting, but we also felt very sad. I imagined these were family heirlooms, and the owner must have been heartbroken."

Police spokesman Ruth McDonagh said: "Obviously, it was very fortunate that the Clarkes were in this area, carrying out litter picking and the police thanked them for their public-spiritedness.

"The owner of the jewellery was an elderly lady, and she was obviously very distressed, having lost some valuable and sentimental items. She was very pleased to have them returned."