Jane Austen museum battles US singer to hold onto ring

A Jane Austen museum has launched an appeal to raise £152,450 (€114,570) to keep a ring once owned by the famous author in Britain after it was bought by a US popstar.

Singer Kelly Clarkson acquired the turquoise and gold ring at auction at Sotheby’s in London last year, but culture minister Ed Vaizey put an export ban on it until Sept 30 to allow someone in Britain “to show a serious expression of interest to buy the ring”.

This expression has now been lodged by the museum based in Austen’s home in Chawton, Hampshire, and the appeal has received a £100,000 anonymous donation.