'Priceless' mayoral chain lost

The mayoress's chain is 'part of Bristol's tradition'

The Lady Mayoress of Bristol has lost her official gold chain of office.

Police say the distinctive chain went missing in the Lawrence Weston area of the city between 1900 GMT and 2030 on Wednesday.

The chain consists of five gold strands which join together with a gold medallion encrusted with 51 diamonds and 49 sapphires while the medallion is set in another ring of gold surrounded by jewels.

A statement issued on Thursday, said: "Bristol City Council is offering a reward of £1,000 for information leading to the recovery of the Lady Mayoress's chain.

"The chain went missing last night (Wednesday) whilst the Lord Mayor was at a function in Lawrence Weston. The Lady Mayoress was not at the function.

"The civic chains are normally kept together. It seems that the chain went missing whilst the Lord Mayor was on civic duty, wearing his chain.

'Ladies' Guild'

"We are investigating how the Lady Mayoress's chain went missing and until our investigations are complete we can't say any more at this stage. We are working closely with the police."

Conservative councillor Peter Abraham, a former mayor of the city, said: "It's very beautiful. There's a great deal of class and distinction about it and we really need to get it back.

"This is quite awful, it's part of Bristol's heritage and is much more than just the chain.

"The thought of it being broken for the gold and the diamonds is quite shocking."

Bristol author and journalist Maurice Fells said: "It's a fairly modern piece, compared with much of Bristol's civic insignia.

"It was made in 1926 after the Ladies' Guild donated cash for a chain to be made.

"I would think it has to be priceless with its diamonds and sapphires. I suspect it's been stolen but it would be very sad if somebody were to melt it down."

A police spokesman said: "At the moment it is being treated as a loss, it has not been reported as a theft as yet."