Brighton groom-to-be offers stolen wedding rings reward Published duration 9 June 2012

image caption Mike Fathers said there were inscriptions and details on the rings that had lots of meaning to the couple

A groom-to-be has offered a reward for the return of specially made rings that were stolen two weeks before he and his partner were due to get married.

The items, designed by Mike Fathers, 40, and his fiancée, were taken during a burglary at his best man's flat in Denmark Villas, Hove, on May 31.

He has offered a £500 reward, through police, for information that leads to their return and an arrest.

Mr Fathers and Kellie Finnegan, 34, are due to get married on 15 June.

'Very personal'

He said: "My fiancée has been in tears and the whole incident has put a black cloud over our wedding plans that were going so well up until now.

"We have been into every jewellery shop and pawn store from Southwick to London Road in the hope of finding them."

He added: "I can't see why anyone would want these rings as they have been personally designed by myself and my fiancée and made by a good friend of ours.

"The whole process has taken months and there is now not enough time to get another set of rings designed for our wedding next Friday.

"So much thought has been put into them. Everything on the rings has a meaningful background. They are very, very personal."

Det Sgt Scott, of Sussex Police, said: "All burglaries are devastating for the victims and even more so when items of such high sentimental value are stolen.