AN historic gold ring which had languished in a jewellery box for years and almost ended-up being melted is now attracting interest from local museums.

The ring dates back to 1742 and was found in the grounds of Horwich Masonic Hall, which is based at Ridgmont House, Chorley Old Road.

The piece of jewellery was found a few years ago in the courtyard area next to the hall by husband and wife, Jackie and John Clark.

Jackie, who is the hall manager, thought nothing of the find and put the ring in her jewellery box where it remained for three years until she got chatting to the hall's management association secretary, Brian Goth.

Brian asked if he could borrow it to have it dated and find out a little about the owner's possible identity.

He was stunned when a Horwich jeweller told him the ring had been made in Chester in 1742.

Even more remarkable was the fact Brian borrowed the ring when he did because Jackie had been trying to persuade her husband to have the gold melted to create an extension for his own wedding ring which no longer fitted.

Staff at Bolton Museum have been amazed by the find and Greater Manchester's Assistant County Archaeologist, Norman Redhead, has also expressed an interest in viewing the artefact.

He said: "It does sound like an unusual find, but unfortunately I wasn't there when it was found.

"I haven't come across many pieces like that and would be interested in being involved in future digs there."

It is believed the ring could have belonged to Richard Pilkington, whose family was originally from Chester and lived at the hall between 1761 and 1786.

Brian now has the ring in his safekeeping and will be contacting the Grosvenor Museum in Chester which displays several items belonging to the Pilkington family which later became famous for creating the glass company.

Jackie said: "I just never gave it a second thought when we found the ring and I didn't think it was anything at all.

"If Brian hadn't asked to see it, I would have tried to have it melted to add to my husband's wedding ring, so it was very lucky we found out how old it is!"

Ridgmont House was originally known as the 'White House' and was part of the Pilkington Estate which the Ridgway family bought in 1801.