PHOTOGRAPHS of a woman’s husband who passed away have been taken after a handbag was stolen in Tyldesley.

The 52-year-old victim was working at her farm on Wellington Drive when a man pulled in and asked if could he park his car in the yard at around 2.45pm on May 20.

He said he was going to see work colleagues who were working nearby and she agreed.

Minutes later, she noticed the man driving off at speed.

When she went to the car she noticed that her handbag had been stolen from the back seat.

The man is described as white, in his 30s, with dark blonde hair, of slim build and he spoke with a local accent. He wore a hi-vis jacket, white hard hat and drove a blue Peugeot 206 with some minor damage.

Police Con Will Lloyd said: “The lady sadly lost her husband earlier this year and to keep his memory close by, kept photographs and bookmarks that had been made for his funeral in her bag.

“She is deeply upset they have been taken and she desperately wants them to be reunited with them.

“I would appeal directly to the person who stole her bag to please return the personal items. They have no value to you but are of high sentimental value to her.

“I would also appeal to anyone who may have seen a man fitting this description driving a Peugeot 206 at the time of the theft to contact police.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7225 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.