A Keighley pensioner has been left in fear of going shopping after her bag containing an irreplaceable drawing of her late daughter was stolen at a local supermarket.

Sandra Ellis was shopping at Morrisons on Worth Way last Tuesday afternoon when the bag, which she had placed in her shopping trolley, was taken.

The 74-year-old has thanked the police who attended and the Morrisons staff who helped after the theft left her shaken up and with just £1 – the money deposited in her trolley.

She said: “They were all so helpful. I was lucky because I was insured, but the next pensioner targeted might not be so lucky. I was just so upset. I didn’t even have any money to get home. Luckily the police helped me out. What if it would have happened to someone who had just got their pension out? They would have had no money to live off for a week.”

Her handbag contained bank cards and £150 in cash. Although she has been able to claim that back, she is more upset with the loss of a drawing she carried around in her bag.

It is of her daughter Sharon, who died of cancer in November 2006 aged 46, and was drawn by one of Mrs Ellis’ friends.

Mrs Ellis said: “It is irreplaceable, but whoever stole the bag will probably just throw it away.”

The theft has also left her scared of going shopping. She said: “I went shopping again later in the week and I was absolutely terrified. It is unbelievable how frightening it is to think that someone could be following you.

“I hope the person who did this rots in hell.”

She hopes the drawing is returned by the thief, and said: “It is a pencil drawing. If I could get it back it would mean everything to me. Money is replaceable, the drawing isn’t.”

A police spokesman said: “PCSOs have since been to visit the woman as part of a re-assurance visit. Enquiries are ongoing.”

They said the painting can be returned to Keighley Police Station.