A WOMAN is devastated after burglars stole jewellery, including a ring which had been in her family since 1925.

Barmaid Becky Williams, 39, returned home from work to her house in North Avenue, Southend, to find burglars had got in.

They had not ransacked her house, but took just a few items including much of the contents of a jewellery box, which contained several items of sentimental value.

Among them was an eternity ring, originally belonging to Mrs Williams’ grandmother.

She said: “I lost my mum to cancer three years ago.

“She left it to me in her will and said I should give it to my daughter. I’m gutted.”

The distinctive ring is yellowgold with eight spaces for diamonds, with one missing.

The stones were not raised but set inside the gold itself, and Mrs Williams said it “doesn’t look like a modern-made ring”.

It has a small crack in the back – which is the reason Mrs Williams had taken it off.

She said: “It was like a family heirloom.

“Her mumgave it to her with a view that she would always look after it.

“I only had it for a short time and only took it off my hand for a little while.

“I was worried that as it was cracked it would come off, so I put it in the box.

“It’s the worst thing they could have taken.”

The burglars also made off with other items, including a distinctive gold locket with “Rebecca” written on the back, which was given to her on her 18th birthday by her mum.

There was also a watch, given to her as a wedding gift, with “time is precious” engraved on the back.

She added: “I’m keen to recover the other jewellery but the only bit I really care about is my mother’s ring.”

Anyone with information about the burglary, which took place sometime between 9.45am and 10pm on Saturday, can call police on 101.