A Keighley woman has made an emotional plea to thieves to stop stealing ornaments from her husband's grave.

Betty Smith has been growing increasingly distraught at the theft of ornaments and flowers family members have left on her husband Michael's grave at Oakworth Crematorium.

Her distress reached a peak on Sunday when she was paying one of her several weekly visits to his grave and discovered that a treasured porcelain dog had been stolen.

The 59-year-old from Guardhouse Drive said: "Michael loved dogs and this figure had been on top of his grave for the last two years before it disappeared.

"We also put up a 'Welcome to My Garden' sign next to his grave and there was a rabbit, hedgehog and butterfly which his grandchildren had bought and which have all been stolen.

"There are times when I come down and flowers that we have left have been stolen as well.

"The ornaments we leave aren't that expensive, but the people responsible for stealing and breaking them don't realise the sentimental value they have and much hurt it causes, particularly for my grandchildren.

"We don't know who is doing this but all we are asking is for the people responsible to please leave the graves alone."

Daughter Margaret Parker, 39, added: "From speaking to other people we know it is happening to quite a few other graves as well."

In spite of the vandalism and thefts, Betty and Margaret are more determined than ever to create a peaceful resting place for Michael, a former Triplex employee who died at the age of 59, in May, 2001 from a heart attack.

"I'm not going to have them beat me," added Betty. "The family is still going to put things on the grave and we will see how that goes."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Stealing items from graves is a despicable act and we sympathise with anyone who is a victim of this.

"Park rangers regularly visit this cemetery and have been asked to increase their patrols.

"Our bereavement services have not been informed directly of any thefts, but I advise anyone who sees items being taken from graves to report it to the police or Keighley's cemetery registrar on 01535 603162."