Ananova:

A woman who lost her engagement ring in her bathroom three years ago has found it - in a magpie's nest.

Julia Boaler, 36, thought the £5,000 ring had gone forever when it vanished while she was taking a shower, reports the Daily Telegraph.

But it turned up again when her partner Justin Laycock found it in the bird's nest at the bottom of their garden.

Miss Boaler, of Sheffield, said: "I was heartbroken when my ring vanished and Justin was not best pleased either.

"I left it on the bathroom window ledge when I took a shower but it wasn't there when I returned. I thought it must have fallen in the bathroom or even fell out of the window but it was a complete mystery.

"We ripped up the bathroom lino, pulled up floorboards and even took the panel off the bath thinking it must have somehow slipped through but still it was nowhere to be found.

"I even accused the window-cleaner of swiping it as the window was open, but he swore blind that he knew nothing and I had no proof. We eventually gave up looking."

Three years later, Mr Laycock was tidying up the garden in preparation for putting the house up for sale.

Miss Boaler added: "He started to prune our big oak tree and noticed an old nest in the branches so he nipped up a ladder to have a look inside and found my missing ring.

"I was gobsmacked. The bird must have swooped down and nabbed it from the open window. It's amazing the ring was still there but I'm so glad to get it back."

Still engaged, the pair have now insured the ring and plan to tie the knot in the very near future.