A THIMBLE collector has given the thumbs up after completing a Royal flush.

Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, were the only members of the modern Royal family Carole Almond was missing.

But her 20-year collection was completed when her daughter came up trumps and found the missing piece on an internet auction site.

Now Carole, 55, of Loveclough, has turned her attention to find more of the little treasures in a bid to further boost her collection of 366 thimbles.

He fixation started when her ex-husband bought her a miniature house containing 12 of the thumb-size pots.

Carole said: "I am so pleased to have found it. My daughter searched the internet and put a in a bid for it on ebay. She wouldn't tell me how much she paid so I can't begin to speculate as to how much it was but I am just so glad to have it."

She added: "I have got a new house now for all the Royals to go in so the collection looks better than ever now."

The collection is estimated to be worth about £1,000 - with the most Carole has paid for a thimble being just £12 for a crystal Royal Dalton design. It will be kept as a heirloom and passed to her grandchildren.