A devastated mum is making an appeal for her late son's stolen mobile phone to be returned.

Sylvia Northrop's home was burgled and the phone which belonged to Chris, who died earlier this year aged 18, was taken.

The phone is priceless to Mrs Northrop and daughter Nicola because it contains Chris's text messages and video clips of him.

Chris, who was in the sixth form at Beckfoot School, Bingley, died after contracting a rare MRSA-style superbug in February.

The gifted and popular drummer, who played in two bands, was aiming to become a professional musician.

A keen motorcyclist, he was also planning to tour Europe.

"My daughter and I are devastated the phone has been taken because it was such a personal item," said Mrs Northrop, of Allerton. "It's got all the text messages he sent and received when he was poorly. In one, he says he feels really ill and thinks he's going to die.

"I don't think he really meant that - it was just one of those joke-y things you say."

The phone contains a music clip of Chris playing one of his compositions on the guitar, a video clip of him and his friend Rob, and a welcome screen showing Bramall Lane, the ground of his beloved Sheffield United Football Club.

"Someone was in the house when I got home on Tuesday lunchtime," said Mrs Northrop.

"I just turned round, went out into the garden and rang the police. I could see him trying to get down the stairs with Chris's television. The police were quick in coming, but he'd got away. He had a car parked outside."

She added: "My big fear was that one of his musical instruments might have been taken, but fortunately that didn't happen. Chris's Playstation and about nine games were taken, but the phone is the thing you can't replace."

Mrs Northrop said the family was desperate for the phone to be returned. "I doubt the person who's taken the phone has any morals, but maybe the person who ends up with it will have a conscience," she said.

"That person might not be aware that it was stolen. They certainly won't know how much value it holds for us."

Anyone with information about the burglary or the whereabouts of the mobile phone - a Sony Ericsson K7501 - can call Bradford North Police on (01274) 376259.

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk