Burglars steal dead woman's ashes

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Burglars who broke into a 61-year-old man's house in Shropshire have stolen the ashes of his dead wife, police have said.

They were kept inside a green velvet drawstring bag, which was taken along with a Sony LCD television when thieves forced their way through a kitchen window in the Red Lake area of Telford.

They took other items and ransacked the house on December 12, so at first the victim did not realise the ashes had gone.

A West Mercia police spokesman said: "The victim of this burglary...is absolutely devastated by the theft of his wife's ashes and although the chances are probably slim, he would appeal to the thieves to return the bag containing the ashes if they do still have it in their possession.

"The thieves probably didn't realise what was in the bag when they stole it from the address but obviously it is something that is of great importance to the victim.

"If there's any way the ashes can be returned to their rightful owner it's fair to say that it would be one of the best Christmas presents ever."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

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