The devastated daughter of a woman who died from cancer is appealing to find her mother's ashes after they were stolen from her car.

Deanne Smith had parked in a car park in Margate Road, Broadstairs, on Tuesday afternoon - only to realise money was missing from her vehicle on her return.

The distraught mum-of-two soon noticed that her mother's ashes, kept in a colourful container, had been swiped too, as well a mobile phone.

Ms Smith, who lives in Palm Bay, says the family had planned to scatter the ashes, and is pleading for them to be returned.

"The person who took them may have thought it was something of value as it is a colourful tube," the 37-year-old said.

"But of course it is not to them, just to us.

"Because they are in such a beautiful container, the person probably grabbed the cash and mobile phone and taken that thinking it is worth something.

"I first realised the money had gone when I opened my glove compartment and saw the cash had gone. I was parked behind the Kaspa's in Broadstairs.

"Then when I got home, my son said his phone was in the car, so I went back to check and realised that had been taken too.

"It was then that I realised my mum's ashes, that were kept in the side, were also gone."

Ms Smith's mum, Maggie Cummings, died last April.

The 62-year-old had been diagnosed with terminal cancer back in September 2014.

Ms Smith, who works as a hairdresser, added: "We were just starting to plan where to scatter mum's ashes.

"I am thinking that once the person realises what they are, they will just throw them away. But we appealing for them to be returned to us.
"People on Facebook have been amazing at sharing my post, so I am really hoping someone may see it and they are returned."

Police are investigating the reported theft.

Spokesman Steve Knight said: "Police received a report of theft from a car that was parked in a car park off Margate Road, Broadstairs, between 1pm and 2pm on Tuesday, February 19.

"Cash, a mobile phone and other personal belongings were from stolen from the vehicle.

"Inquiries into the incident are ongoing."