A student has been reunited with jewellery stolen from her final-year project thanks to The Argus and her eagle-eyed neighbours.

Rebecca Mann, 22, was handed back the missing rings and brooches on Sunday only days before tutors were due to begin marking her final-year exhibition at the University of Brighton.

The Argus reported last week that a collection of handmade jewellery, comprising almost entirely of sterling silver pieces, was taken from her Lewes Road flat when burglars broke in and stole a backpack containing the work earlier this month.

But as Miss Mann struggled to design new work in time for the exhibition, she received a visit from a couple living nearby.

She said: "They held up the bag and asked me if it was mine and I told them I was about to cry.

"They told me they had heard something dripping from a pipe and when they went outside they found my bag hidden between two walls.

"Everything was there, it is brilliant and it is such a turn around from being absolutely devastated a few days ago to these lovely people taking the time to return my work."

The bag, containing more than 25 rings and brooches, was returned intact with only a digital camera missing.

The find completed Miss Mann's final exhibition after she discovered eight of the stolen pieces dumped doors away from her house, days after the burglary.

Tutors began marking the degree show yesterday with the display counting for 75 per cent of Miss Mann's final mark.

Individual pieces in the collection took up to six months to develop and were valued at between £30 and £150.

Miss Mann said: "It is such a relief, I have been walking around with a smile on my face.

"I am really happy with my final display, someone must be looking out for me."

Fellow final-year student Aya Husni Bey, 24, is appealing for help to find two wooden puppets she lost in Dyke Road, Brighton, earlier this month, which are part of her display for the show.

The puppets are a foot tall and have no facial features.

Anyone with information should email urusbingus@hotmail.com or visit the University of Brighton reception.