A heartbroken mum is urging tighter security at one of Bradford's Victorian cemeteries after her son's grave was looted.

Linda Fletcher, pictured, whose 26-year-old son Wayne died last year after overdosing on anti-depressants and beta-blockers, said she went hysterical when she discovered gifts and messages had been stolen from his grave at Scholemoor Cemetery.

She said she felt destroyed by whoever raided the graveside, taking teddies, children's drawings, flower arrangements, messages and ornaments, all of which had sentimental value.

Some of the gifts had been brought back from family holidays in Spain and America.

Now she is calling on Bradford Council to tighten security around the cemetery to keep out vandals, trouble-makers and, she claims, prostitutes who take clients there.

Mrs Fletcher, of Clayton, said her experience had proved locked gates at night and daytime-only surveillance cameras were not enough to protect the graves.

She wanted to see 24-hour CCTV surveillance and more random checks by vigilant park rangers.

She has also appealed to dog walkers and children to keep away from the cemetery to help keep it a private sacred space.

Linda, who has two other sons, visits Wayne's grave at least once a day. She has also bought the plot next to his so they will be together again one day.

She said: "I was devastated enough that he took his own life without someone stealing from his grave and completely destroying me.

"Now, whenever I go, my stomach is churning. I'm worried about what else they might have taken or done to his grave.

"It took me months to decide where to put his ashes and I chose Scholemoor because I thought it was a peaceful place where he would be at rest. Obviously this isn't the case and I'm certainly not at peace."

A Council spokesman said: "We are sorry for any distress caused to Mrs Fletcher.

"This is a despicable act and we are saddened that some people should stoop to this level of behaviour.

"The park rangers visit the cemetery on a regular basis to help deter vandalism and we will be liaising with the police over this incident."

Anyone with information about theft or vandalism at the cemetery should contact police or cemetery staff on (01274) 571313.