A GRATEFUL mother and daughter have thanked Stanway’s community after residents rallied around to help them find a diamond necklace.

Mandy Clarke first realised she had lost the necklace on Thursday night. With the help of daughter, Paige, she retraced her steps, but could not locate the jewellery anywhere.

A desperate Paige posted images of the necklace as an appeal on Facebook and was astonished by the response.

She said: “The response from people was huge and it was amazing to see so many people cared.

“We had Stanway Little Pickers offer to rearrange their meet in order to help find it.

“There were dog walkers telling us they would look for it.

“The doctor’s surgery opened up especially in the evening so I could search for it.

“Safari Nursery staff were looking with torches outside in case they could find it.

“We want to say a huge thank you and it makes you realise there are people out there willing to help.”

The Facebook post was shared more than 500 times by members of the public and just when the pair were beginning to lose hope after visits to Iceland supermarket, the doctor’s and the nursery, they received the news they were hoping for.

Paige said: “It was found by a lady, Debbie Wright, on the floor in the café at Stanway Garden Centre.

“She saw it on the floor and picked it up and put it in a safe because she knew it was something special.”

The grateful family visited the centre to thank Debbie and manager Louise Beary with flowers and champagne.

Paige said: “The necklace was bought many years ago but when her dad died, it came to represent that to mum.

“Mum was beside herself when it went missing. We thought it would be someone’s pay day as it is worth thousands.

“We feel lucky we have had so much support to find it.”