A GRIEVING family were left devastated after a thief stole tributes from a relative’s grave.

Jo Milsom was distraught when her grandfather Eric Irish died in August.

The 90-year-old was well-known in Braishfield where he was noted for his prize-winning floral displays in the village horticultural society’s annual show.

Eric was also a cribbage enthusiast and he regularly played at the Wheatsheaf Inn with his wife Jean. After Eric died, Jo decided to place a cribbage board and a pack of cards on his grave. When they visited Eric’s grave recently the cards and board were gone. His upset wife said of the thieves: “ I hope they can live with their conscience.”

Granddaughter Jo said: “This may seem extremely trivial to most people but to myself, and my family this is just an unbelievable act of cruelty and callousness which saddens us all especially my grandmother.

“We are disgusted with such behaviour and wish that people would think about the pain and anguish this has caused.

Jo said that what may have seemed like a simple pack of cards to the thief held “very special memories” for her family.