A MOTHER has spoken of her heartache after mindless thieves stole sentimental items belonging to her dead son.

Tracy Kirby returned home to find her son’s memorial, which includes an urn containing his ashes, had been ransacked by burglars.

They stole a Rolex watch and a diamond ring which belonged to her son Neil who died ten years ago in a motorcycle accident.

The front door of her house in Nayland Drive, Clacton, was forced open in the early hours of July 5.

In addition to stealing several TVs and a safe containing Ms Kirby’s jewellery, the burglars rifled through a “shrine” set-up in the corner of her living room which also contained letters and poems.

Ms Kirby, 49, said: “It felt like my heart had been ripped out. I was hysterical. Now I feel really angry. I can’t believe somebody has done this, they’re the lowest of the low.

“Anybody who saw that cabinet can see it’s a shrine to my son. For someone to lose a son and then have a piece of that memory you are trying to hold on to taken away from you, it makes me feel numb, there are no words.”

Essex Police described the crime as “despicable”.

A spokesman from the force said: “This has caused great distress to Miss Kirby and police would appeal for the public’s help in tracing this despicable offenders and reuniting Miss Kirby with these precious and priceless items.”

Ms Kirby said the urn was left untouched but appealed for the watch and the ring to be returned.

“Whoever has these items, please, please take them to the police station or send them back anonymously,” she said. “I want them back more than anything else.”

The watch is gold and silver and the inside mechanisms can be seen on the back. The ring has a thick band with five rows of small diamonds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Sarah Corrigan at Colchester on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.