A heartbroken mother is pleading for the return of a stolen pendant which contained her son’s ashes.

Gaynor Augustine’s son Spencer Carter died last year at the age of 43 after suffering a heart attack.

Ms Augustine, 63, said she had the heart-shaped necklace made especially as a unique reminder of him.

She added: “I watched the jeweller put Spencer’s ashes in it.

“It took him over an hour to do and the pendant was sealed afterwards, so no one will know the ashes are in there if they sell it.

“They are my son’s ashes and thinking of them being around the neck of someone else is just so upsetting.”

Ms Augustine discovered her home in James Road, Cuxton, had been burgled on Friday, October 10.

She said: “I came home at about 9.10pm and could see a light shining in the kitchen so I think I disturbed them and when I got inside I discovered I’d been burgled.

"The pendant is irreplaceable and I just want it back. I am hoping someone will do the decent thing and hand it in.”

DC Craig Hewitt said: “This was one of two burglaries in the area that night, and the woman victim in this case was particularly upset because the pendant contained her son’s ashes.

“We have carried out inquiries in the local area, and my colleagues have visited a number of second-hand stores and pawnbrokers in case the item has been put up for sale.”

Anyone offered the item can contact DC Hewitt on 01634 792726 quoting crime number XY/35980/14.”