A BRIDE was “reduced to tears” on her wedding day after thieves stole her engagement ring.

Lusea Warner Gale was left “heartbroken” after the window of her maid of honour’s car was smashed outside the 14th Century St John the Baptist Church in Symondsbury where she was tying the knot with husband James Gale, before thieves made off with her specially-designed engagement ring.

Mrs Warner Gale has made an emotional appeal for her ring to be returned.

She said: “This ring meant the world to me. I had designed this ring, and I loved it so very much. As a result, I was a heartbroken bride and was reduced to tears on my special day.

“ I’m begging the universe that if they know of its whereabouts or if they saw anything strange in Symondsbury, please could they let me know or the police.”

Two cars were thought to have been broken into sometime between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday, August 2, and the ring taken from one of them.

A spokeswoman for Bridport police said: “Between 3pm and 6.10pm, a black coloured Volvo Se Lux parked opposite St John the Baptist Church, Mill Lane, Symondsbury, was broken into.

“An orange coloured leather Modalu satchel style handbag was stolen.

The handbag also contained a black leather Gucci purse which contained a small amount of money and debit cards. The rear driver side window was broken to gain entry to the vehicle.

“On the same day at approximately 4pm at the same location the front passenger window of a black coloured Nissan was smashed and a Lost Property of London handbag was stolen.

“The handbag contained jewellery, cash and perfume.”

Lusea's maid of honour, Electra Read-Dagg, has set up a Crowdfunding page to try and replace the ring after the bridal party was left "shocked and confused" after realising the ring has been stolen.

She said: "Lusea's wedding ring was stolen on her special day, right outside the church while she was getting married to the wonderful Jamie Gale. 

"It had been specially designed by Lusea. It was a white gold and diamond ring. She said 'the engagement ring had been designed to sit into one another and together they represent all that I love - the sea and James'."

She added: "Lusea broke down in tears later in the evening at her wedding breakfast when she realised the bag had been taken. 

"Symondsbury is such an idyllic English country village, which is why we are all so shocked and confused. Please help us raise the money for our dear heartbroken bride."

To support the Crowdfunding campaign, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/luseas-engagement-ring