£300,000 guilt trip: The 43 jewels of wife who received one each time her husband strayed

The secret of a long marriage was simple for Robert and Elizabeth Charlton. Every time he cheated on his wife he would make it up by buying her a gift.

The remarkably forgiving Mrs Charlton wasn't satisfied with mere flowers, however.

Instead, she acquired diamond jewellery whenever her wealthy husband strayed - and it seems they both notched up quite a collection in their 26 years together.

Guilty conscience: The jewellery stash, which includes these items, has sold for over £300,000 at Woolley & Wallis of Salisbury

While Mr Charlton enjoyed the opportunities offered to a businessman running two nightclubs and an underwear packing business, his wife is said to have equally cherished the necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings the errant entrepreneur bought her.

Passed on to the couple's only daughter, a selection of 43 items in Mrs Charlton's jewellery box has now sold for nearly £300,000.

The most expensive item was a necklace made up of 54 diamonds, thought to have been bought from Carrington and Co of Regent Street, which was auctioned for £60,000.

The philanderer: Robert Charlton, from Leicester, was chairman of a large building company

A large pendant in the shape of a diamond and a brooch each went for £53,000 and a chunky diamond solitaire ring sold for £23,000.

A pair of drop earrings went for £22,000 while a gold bangle with nine diamonds fetched £25,000, including the auctioneer's cut.

According to the family the couple's arrangement meant their marriage thrived from when they wed in 1948 until Mr Charlton died, aged 63, in 1974.

Clare Durham, of auctioneers Woolley and Wallis of Salisbury, Wiltshire, said: 'It would seem that any time Mr Charlton was naughty and played away he bought his wife a nice bit of jewellery to keep her sweet.

'She was well aware of what was going on - he cheated on her a lot. It may have been more than 43 times, because the family have kept some of the pieces, or it may have been less.

'Certainly the best, most expensive pieces were bought when he played away. His daughter was fully aware of what was going on at the time and the family have told us the story - it was no secret to anyone.'

Mr Charlton, from Leicester, was chairman of a large building company and also ran a printing firm.

A well-known freemason and honorary member of Kibworth Golf Club in Leicester, he later owned two nightclubs which he visited for both business and pleasure.