TRAGEDY turned to tears of joy for newlywed Melanie Archer-Smith after her missing wedding and engagement rings were found on Christmas Eve by a metal detecting enthusiast.

The 26-year-old, from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, was left heartbroken when she lost her precious rings on the way home from a night out with her husband Richard.

Melanie had all but given up hope of finding her gold wedding ring and solitaire diamond engagement ring after numerous searches in the area proved fruitless.

But her prayers were answered when metal detecting fan Paul Roberts heard of her plight and found them after travelling 30 miles from Barlby, near Selby, to help out.

He had agreed to look for the rings after he was contacted by Melanie's uncle, Kevin Flintoft, who lives in Barlby.

After spending two hours meticulously searching a grass verge in Knaresborough, where Melanie dropped her rings, Mr Roberts struck gold.

Melanie, an NVQ tutor with Action for Employment, said: "We only married in August and I was absolutely devastated when I lost them.

"I often play with the rings, taking them off my finger and rolling them round in the palm of my hand - only this time I had had a few drinks and dropped them.

"I thought I had lost them for good. When my uncle rang to say they had found the rings, I just broke down in tears - I can't thank them enough."

Mr Roberts, 53, said: "Melanie told me it was the best Christmas present she ever had."