'Exciting' donation boosts Jane Austen ring campaign

A ring which once belonged to Jane Austen is likely to stay in the UK after a museum dedicated to the author received an anonymous donation of £100,000.

US singer Kelly Clarkson bought the turquoise and gold ring for £152,450 at auction last year, outbidding the Jane Austen's House Museum.

The government put an export bar on it until 30 September, and the museum has now raised enough to "show a serious expression of interest to buy the ring.''

It has until December to raise a further £49,000.

Former curator of Jane Austen's House Museum, Louise West, said the donation was ''very exciting'' and a major step forward.