A DESPERATE plea has been made to callous thieves by the partner of a woman who died in a car accident last week.

Louise Adel Thomas laid flowers and a card for Tracey Taylor at the scene of the crash in South Street. When she returned with her children at the weekend, the floral tribute was gone.

She said: "It was the first time my sons have been strong enough to visit the site and when we saw that the flowers and card had been stolen it was very upsetting.

"If someone wants to steal the flowers, then fine, but not the card."

The card was signed by four of Tracey's friends and included a heartfelt message from Louise.

"I would just like to ask the person who took it, to please put it back," she said.

Despite this setback, tributes for Tracey continue to come in.

Sarah Holford (nee Draper) had been Tracey's friend for 20 years. They went to school and college together and only last year Tracey visited Sarah, who now lives in Australia.

Mrs Holford could not make it to Tracey's funeral -- which took place on Wednesday -- but in a letter to the Keighley News she said: "It was give and take with Trace. So was our friendship. I would help her and she would help me.

"You always knew where you stood with her. She had a core of inner strength and she could be relied upon if you really needed help or you were in a mess.

"You could shout 'Help' from wherever you were and she would come and do whatever needed to be done to get you back on to your feet.

"I will miss her; she was one of the roots in my life. A person who was always there and who could take me back to being 15 again, just with a smile."

She added: "Tracey, you brought joy and laughter into so many lives."

An inquest into the social worker's death was opened and adjourned last week.

Miss Taylor was travelling in a Silver Hyundai car when she was involved in a collision with another vehicle and then a lorry, just after 8am, on Tuesday, October 28.

The incident took place as the 32-year-old, of Selborne Grove, Ingrow, was turning right from Rawling Street into South Street.

She died at the scene. A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be multiple injuries.

Contrary to earlier plans, Tracey's funeral took place at St John's Evangelist Church, in Ingrow, on Wednesday.