Marion Richardson thought she was doing a good deed when she gave an old coat away to charity.

But she forgot she had hidden her wedding and engagement rings in the pocket for safe keeping.

The 69-year-old is desperate to get them back but cannot remember which charity she gave the coat to.

Mrs Richardson said: "I went as white as a sheet when I realised. I went to look for my rings because I wanted to wear them.

"That's when I remembered I had put them in the coat pocket once when I was going out because it would be an unlikely place for burglars to look."

Mrs Richardson was pleased to help when a charity clothing donations bag dropped through her letterbox in Ashurst Road, Brighton.

She carefully selected a smart denim coat and left it on her doorstep for collection.

By the time she remembered leaving a handful of jewellery in the coat, the bag was long gone.

Mrs Richardson cannot remember who collected it.

She said: "We get so many of these bags, I lost track.

"I've phoned most of the main charities but none of them had been collecting at the time."

The four rings are worth a few hundred pounds but, more importantly, they have special sentimental value to Mrs Richardson.

As well as her 1972 wedding and sapphire engagement bands she lost a heart-patterned amethyst stone ring and another in a v-shape.

Mrs Richardson, who divorced her husband Laszlo Hortobagyi in 1982, said: "The rings are a part of my life and my memories.

"They mean a great deal to me. I used to wear them a lot and I miss them terribly.

"It was such a silly thing to do. I'm a hoarder by nature and don't normally give objects to charity but this coat was taking up a lot of space so I thought it would be good to get rid of it.

"It was a one-off donation but I wish I hadn't bothered now."

Mrs Richardson is now concerned the coat and rings could end up in the wrong hands.

She said: "I've since been told about bogus charities who collect clothes for needy people but then sell them on for profit.

"I hope if I don't get them back they go to someone who really needs the money."

Mrs Richardson appealed to charities to keep a lookout for the coat, which is fleece-lined and three-quarter length.

She said: "It's a long shot but I would be absolutely delighted if I got the rings back."

Have you seen Mrs Richardson's rings? Call Rob Hustwayte at The Argus on 01273 732648.