ENGAGEMENT rings on sale at Poundland have sparked a social media split — between those wanting romance or just a shiny new way to seal the deal.

The high street chain, which is marketing the ‘bling ring’ in a variety of colours just a month before Valentine’s Day, said the jewellery was merely a ‘beautiful placeholder’, giving the chance to pop the question ‘before they need to invest in the real rock’.

But the cut-price ring was also panned as a penny-pincher’s paradise.

‘Nothing says undying love like an engagement ring from Poundland,’ one person posted.

Another queried the need for joint shopping, adding: ‘Why would anyone want to pick their own ring? Isn’t the point of it that the man you love has chosen it for you?’

A photograph seen in the Facebook group ‘Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK’ showed a jewel-inset ring — one of four designs — in a heart-shaped box. The slogan reads ‘because we promise they’ll want to choose their own’ — an idea some thought was a bobby dazzler.

One person posted: ‘Is this not the best idea ever? Buy a cheap ring from Poundland to propose then go to the shop so you can pick a proper one together.’

Poundland commented: ‘These are beautiful placeholder rings because we know they’ll want to buy their own.

‘We’re looking forward to the Poundland proposal becoming the way it’s done. Our bling ring is setting the scene for the real deal.’